From first tee to green jacket, the AJC has you covered with Masters content. Throughout the week, we’ll bring you insights and thoughts from our staff, including Stan Awtrey, Fletcher Page, Jack Leo and Gabe Burns, along with photography from Hyosub Shin and Jason Getz.
Check in with us throughout Masters week at Augusta National.
Add “club maker” to Bryson DeChambeau’s resume.
DeChambeau has already earned high marks for being the longest hitter. He’s already blown up the internet with innovative videos and challenges. Now he wants to take on TaylorMade and Ping.
DeChambeau spent time working on wedges at the recent LIV South Africa stop. But that wasn’t enough to satisfy his curiosity.
“I was going quite a bit down a rabbit hole there and figured out a couple cool things out,” he said. “Hopefully it helps this week. Then I am working irons, building irons, building a driver. So we’ll see where it takes me.”
The two-time major champion said these are “my own personal clubs I’m building.”
And it wouldn’t be surprising to see them put to use.
“All I could say now is if I don’t put them in the bag, it’s my fault now,” he said.
Your grandfather’s golf bag isn’t the only place you’ll find a 9-wood. Tommy Fleetwood will carry one this week at the Masters.
The loft on a 9-wood is typically between 23 and 26 degrees and produces high-launched shots that land softly on the green. It can be helpful at Augusta National, which rewards high approach shots on some of the longer par-4 holes.
“It’s a great 9-wood golf course,” Fleetwood said. “I can’t remember when I first put a 9-wood or a high-lofted club, but it’s a perfect 9-wood golf course.”
The 9-wood is often used by higher-handicap players who find it less difficult to hit from the fairway. It has become more popular among professionals like Fleetwood.
“If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the fourth, the long par-3, for me I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot,” he said.
Monday saw some early-week practice rounds, including one from defending champion Rory McIlroy. It was all pretty casual, just trying to get the feel for shots from different angles and from the bunkers.
For a first-time Masters spectator, it was a spectacle, but it all lived up to what we've seen on TV throughout the years.
Before the golf heats up, we can talk about items from the merch shop, including the gnomes, which are a hot commodity.
Check out more of our photos in the Monday gallery.
From tee to green to green jacket, the AJC has you covered with our Masters content. Throughout the week, we'll bring you insights and thoughts from our staff — including Stan Awtrey, Fletcher Page, Jack Leo and Gabe Burns, along with exceptional photography from Hyosub Shin and Jason Getz.
Check in with us throughout Masters week.
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