Masters 2020: Bryson DeChambeau in danger of missing cut after disastrous third hole

AUGUSTA, Ga.—The reckoning Bryson DeChambeau would bring to Augusta National was the preeminent storyline heading into the Masters. Thirty holes into his tournament, the question now is whether DeChambeau will make it to Saturday afternoon.

At the suspension of play on Friday evening due to darkness, the U.S. Open champ was in danger of missing the cut at the Masters.

Following a first-round 70 that was marred by a double bogey at the 13th, DeChambeau’s Friday was quickly submarined by the par-4 third. One under through two holes, DeChambeau attempted to drive the green but sailed his tee shot left into a second cut that, this week, is not exactly a second cut. Despite the efforts of a search party, DeChambeau’s ball could not be found, leading to a curious exchange in which DeChambeau asked a rules official if it meant the situation qualified as a lost ball. The official replied in the affirmative, forcing DeChambeau back to the tee box. His second drive and third shot overall also went left, with his fourth going over the green. He failed to get up-and-down. The final damage: triple-bogey 7, dropping DeChambeau to even par.

He followed with bogeys on the fourth and fifth, and though he made birdies at the sixth and eighth, those red figures were wiped out by more bogeys at the seventh and 10th. Heading into Amen Corner four over on his day and two over for the tournament, DeChambeau needed to get right and was running out of holes to do it.

To his credit, DeChambeau answered, hitting his approach at the par-3 12th to eight feet and converting for birdie. He proceeded to hit a shot at the par-5 13th that was precisely the kind of blast that fueled his pre-Masters hype, a drive that cut the corner and left a mere 124 yards into the 510-yard hole. His second finished 17 feet short of the pin, giving DeChambeau a good look at eagle. Play was then suspended, with DeChambeau choosing to return Saturday morning to attempt the putt.

DeChambeau ended the day at one over, with the projected cut line at even. He will have strong opportunities to get into red at the 13th, 15th and 16th. But to this point, the tournament favorite hasn't looked anything like a contender.

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