AUGUSTA, Ga. — Bryson DeChambeau was always different.
But even by his extreme standards, this is outrageous.
DeChambeau not only shot a 7-under 65 in the second round of the Masters on Friday to take a one-stroke lead, he did it with a new set of irons in his bag this week.
The 3D printed iron set was not approved by the USGA until Monday.
DeChambeau, known as a “mad scientist” for tinkering with clubs and his own body, uses irons that are all the same length and made by a little-known club manufacturer called Avoda.
According to the company websiteThe company makes two different types of irons: one-length irons, like the clubs DeChambeau played when he was sponsored by the Cobras, and combination-length irons.
DeChambeau parted ways with the Cobra Puma last year and has been searching for the right next step. That’s what Avoda looks like.
Interestingly, when asked about the new irons after Thursday’s round, DeChambeau strangely didn’t mention the brand name, even though he praised their performance.
Usually these are opportunities for players to promote their products in public.
“I put in new irons this week, and I think that’s a pretty big change,” he said. “And (I’m) using this new driver, a 3-wood and a 5-wood. So my whole bag has changed since last year’s Greenbrier, but the only thing that hasn’t changed is my putter. is.”
DeChambeau later spoke to the Golf Channel and said of the irons: When he mis-hits with toe or heel, it feels like he’s flying straighter, which makes him more comfortable with the ball. ”
The concept behind irons is the curvature of the club face, a bit similar to that found in drivers.
“(Curvature) gives woods forgiveness, so why don’t irons have that?” Analyst Brandel Chamblee said on Golf Channel’s “Live From.” I thought so,” he said. As this week goes on, I’ll be watching his iron play to see if it’s actually improved. Because it’s a really interesting concept. ”
“There’s some bulge on the face. It’s unique,” DeChambeau’s coach, Mike Shea, told Golfweek. “What happens if it hits your toe? It catches up a lot, right? What happens if it hits your heel? It cuts you pretty bad. Having the bolt offsets that.”
See called testing and using the new irons an “adventure.”
Isn’t he always with DeChambeau?
