Who is Bryson DeChambeau? The Masters leader who is friends with Donald Trump

Ever since Bryson DeChambeau first made his mark in the world of golf, the “mad scientist” has always done things in his own unique way. Whether through his meticulous studies of golfing theory and an obsessive desire to break down the mechanisms of the perfect swing, or his unparalleled commitment to “bulking season” and an unprecedented physical transformation that added even more power to his monstrous drive, the Californian has left no stone unturned in his relentless pursuit of perfection across 18 holes.

His best-ever start to the Masters, taking aone-shot lead at 7-under-par into the second round Friday, was perhaps the clearest sign yet that DeChambeau is about to reap the benefits of his tireless work. DeChambeau is already a major champion, romping to a dominant six-shot victory at the 2020 US Open at Winged Foot, but the 30-year-old showed a different side to his game as he put the finishing touches on an opening round of 65. Can DeChambeau conquer Augusta National, and tame the danger that lurks behind the tranquillity of Amen Corner?

But  it takes more than a powerful drive to become a Masters champion, and DeChambeau has learned that the hard way.

In 2020, DeChambeau arrived at the Masters and boasted that Augusta should be a “par-67” for him because he could reach all of its four par-fives in two shots. DeChambeau promptly finished in a tie for 34th, 18 strokes behind the winning total set by a runaway Dustin Johnson. «Regarding the 67 comment, you mess up, I’m not a perfect person,” DeChambeau said this week. „You learn from your mistakes and that was definitely one.“

Certainly, those ill-judged comments played into the perception of DeChambeau as the hulking, brash all-American, whose crushing drives of