The Masters

Masters 2022: Augusta National chairman explains how that all-sports viral video at Amen Corner came to be

April 06, 2022
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AUGUSTA, Ga.—Last week a group of YouTubers posted a video of themselves—with Bryson DeChambeau!—playing soccer, wiffle ball, tennis and other non-golf activities at Amen Corner, and if you haven’t seen the video you’re forgiven for thinking said YouTubers snuck on property and have since been jailed with DeChambeau banned from the Masters if not all of Georgia for life.

But the video was filmed with the blessing of Augusta National, and on Wednesday club chairman Fred Ridley explained how the video, from social media personalities ‘Dude Perfect,’ came to pass.

“My first reaction was, who are these guys? I've never heard of them,” Ridley said with a laugh. “But it was something that I got comfortable with very quickly.”

Ridley explained that through a third-party he learned of the trick-shot artists and believed they had “the utmost respect and reverence for Augusta National.” Ridley also learned of their massive following on social channels—over 57 million followers on YouTube alone, with another 11 million on Instagram and 15 million on TikTok—and realized partnering with Dude Perfect could allow the tournament to reach new markets.

“You know, the results of the video have been great,” Ridley said. I think it accomplished what we wanted to. I've heard from a number of my law partners who have teenage children who said, ‘This is great. My kids want to go out and play golf.’ That's sort of the idea.”

On that front, mission accomplished. As of writing the clip has been seen over six million times.

“We'll look at more things like that,” Ridley continued, “but always through a lens of our culture and respect for the game and respect for the institution in this place.”

And, for what it’s worth, DeChambeau remains in the tournament field.

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