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Friday 12 april 2024
Bryson DeChambeau, matured in both game and attitude,

opens with 65 to lead the Masters

By DAVE SKRETTA for the 30-year-old last year believes and knows that it
AP Sports Writer in the LIV event at The Green- gives him opportunities and
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — It brier, when DeChambeau advantages, and he has got
took Bryson DeChambeau shot 61-58 on the weekend the commitment and the
four years and 13 rounds to to win going away. He won self-assurance to not care
finally break par at Augusta again later in the year at Rich what anybody else says."
National. His par. Harvest Farms near Chicago. People do care what De-
Or at least, what he once "The thing about Bryson — Chambeau has to say,
proclaimed to be his par. people don't talk about it though. He was among the
DeChambeau birdied his — he's always been one of first wave of PGA Tour stars
first three holes Thursday, the best putters in the world," that chased guaranteed
made five more over his last explained Gary Woodland, Saudi money with LIV Golf,
seven, and opened with a who played with him Thurs- and he remains one of the
65 to take the early lead at day. "When he drives it like breakaway league's biggest
the Masters. It was his best he did today — I mean, he cheerleaders. But he also
round ever in the season's first Bryson DeChambeau walks on the 17th green during the first drove it really good — and realizes the resulting schism
major, and only his second in round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf he makes putts, he's obvious- within professional golf has
the 60s since the once-brash, Club Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. ly very good. It was a clinic. It been detrimental to the
always-outspoken DeCham- Associated Press was impressive. He didn't get sport, and he's joined Rory
beau ruffled a few feathers pion admitted Thursday that learn from your mistake, and out of position hardly at all." McIlroy and others in pressing
among the green jackets. he has taken plenty of flack that was definitely one." As well as things are going for some sort of reconcilia-
Back in 2020, a bulked-up for it. To be sure, DeChambeau is on the course for DeCham- tion. "Look, how do we make
DeChambeau declared "For me," DeChambeau said, older and wiser — a whole beau, they seem to be trend- this work for both sides? How
his power had rendered "I have a level of respect for lot richer, too, thanks to his ing in the right direction off it. do we make this work for the
the par-72 layout a par 67, this golf course that's a little jump from the PGA Tour to "He's one of the smartest fans?" DeChambeau asked.
because he could reach Au- bit different than a couple LIV Golf — than he was four people I know, and one of "I personally think that we
gusta National's four par-5s years ago, and clearly today years ago. He has overcome the most talented players I could figure that out quickly
in two and the short, par-4 was a great test of golf, and injuries, including a fractured know, and probably one of if we just sit down and hash
third hole was reachable off I was able to conquer a very bone in his left wrist, and the hardest working," said it out for a week."
the tee. The comment came difficult golf course today. struggled with tweaks to his Phil Mickelson, who plays Leave it to the golfer nick-
off as arrogance run amok, "Regarding the 67 com- swing as he shed some of with him frequently on the named "the Scientist" — a
and DeChambeau got some ment," DeChambeau con- that muscle for a more lithe, LIV tour. "He has found a way deep thinker deep in con-
comeuppance when he tied tinued, "you know, you mess athletic build that just might to play golf that is different fidence — to believe such
for 34th that year. up. I'm not a perfect person. hold up better over time. and unique from anybody a complex problem can be
The former U.S. Open cham- Everybody messes up. You Things finally clicked again I've ever seen play it. He solved so easily.q

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers briefly thought playing career could be over

after tearing his Achilles tendon

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. the first time, and really fall- with when I was 5 years and special and deep and “And then, one of the most
AP Pro Football Writer ing back in love with the old,” Rodgers said. “And rich and yummy, and just heartbreaking nights of
Aaron Rodgers acknowl- game that I first fell in love it was absolutely beautiful incredible. my life, when I played four
edged during a podcast plays. Talk about an ego
appearance this week he death.”
briefly thought his playing Rodgers said he quickly
career could be over after began researching Kobe
he tore his left Achilles ten- Bryant’s surgery to repair a
don in the New York Jets’ similar injury during his play-
season opener. ing days with the Los Ange-
“I was really thinking, les Lakers and “the dooms-
‘This is it. You don’t come day of, like, my career is
back from this injury,’” the over kind of started to go
40-year-old quarterback away.”
said during a wide-ranging The four-time NFL MVP
2 1/2-hour interview on the fought back tears while
“I Can Fly” podcast, which talking about his mes-
was published Tuesday. sage to some of his closest
Rodgers, traded to the Jets friends about his recovery
last offseason after 18 years and rehabilitation before
with the Green Bay Pack- he flew home to California
ers, was injured just four on Sept. 12.
snaps into his debut with “I said, ‘I need help,’” Rod-
New York on Sept. 11. gers recalled. “’This is go-
“I had this incredible offsea- ing to be really, tough. I just
son experience in a new need you all to be there
city, in a new town, with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in for me on the tough days
new teammates, a new an NFL football game, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. when I stop believing it’s
organization, an owner for Associated Press possible.’”q