Bryson DeChambeau got in a tense exchange with a reporter when quizzed about the 3D-printed 5-iron he used in his four-over par opening round 76 at The Masters.
The 5-iron was not DeChambeau’s undoing, that title belonged to his sand wedge as he took three shots out of the greenside bunker on 11.
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The LIV Golf superstar made a triple bogey seven as a result on the hole where he dumped it in the water in last year’s final round and effectively drowned his green jacket hopes.
Despite the disappointment, DeChambeau, who sits nine shots behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns, still fronted the press at Augusta National.
Although, he cut a far more grumpy figure than his usual confident self.
When asked about getting caught in the sand, he simply said: “The bunker was softer than I anticipated.”
But it was when the topic changed to his 3D-printed club that DeChambeau got even more testy.
ESPN reported prior to the first round that the two-time US Open champion would put the club in his bag this week.
DeChambeau has long held a reputation as golf’s ‘Mad Scientist’.
He has experimented with golf balls and now is developing clubs to try give himself a competitive edge.
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He only used the 3D-printed iron once in the opening round – off the tee on the par-4 seventh.
DeChambeau walloped the tee shot 258 yards to the left side of the fairway.
“Good,” he replied when asked how the iron was treating him. “It was great on seven.”
He then explained the 3D-printing process which created the club.
“Prints in eight hours,” he said. “Machines, they’re three or four hours. Then you have to cut grooves in it and do a bunch of other stuff. So you can have something within a day and a half.”
Things then got uncomfortable when a reporter asked if DeChambeau could have a new one ready in time for the weekend – if he makes it.
“Would that be something you would want to do for the weekend?” the reporter posed.
DeChambeau replied: “Pfftttt, no? It has to be USGA-conforming. There’s a whole process you have to go through.”
The Athletic confirmed that DeChambeau’s 5-iron is USGA-conforming after a few modifications were made to the club.
Before the interview ended, DeChambeau was asked once again to explain the process.
He responded by shutting down the question.
“That’s a longer conversation. It’s not for here,” he said.
Unsurprisingly, DeChambeau then headed for the driving range where his 5-iron seemingly got a good workout.
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