Bryson DeChambeau gets tough with reporters after the start of the Masters

Wednesday at Master Par 3 ContestBryson DeChambeau shined on television screens across the country. He was all smiles, as he often is, fooling around with the movie star Kevin Hartwhich caddied for two-time grand champion in the quiet event.

But just one day later, viewers were introduced to a very different version of Bryson DeChambeau.

After a nightmare start in the opening round of Masters 2026 On Thursday, a heated DeChambeau beneath the surface was cordial with reporters, partly blamed the wind for his struggles, praised the 3D-printed iron he made for himself and, finally, offered a wordless response that is sure to become a golf meme for years to come.

Frustrated DeChambeau reacts to Masters opening round struggles

Coming into this week’s Masters, DeChambeau was riding high. He had just won back-to-back LIV events, winning it placement raised in the Masters odds before the tournament. So high, in fact, that oddsmakers thought Bryson had a better chance of winning the green jacket than the defending champion. Rory McIlroy.

But in the review of last year’s final round, 2026 Masters Thursday Opening Day saw McIlroy rise to the at the top of the leaderboardand DeChambeau are far behind, risking insignificance on the weekend.

At the end of the day, McIlroy had shot a 67 to tie for the early lead. DeChambeau shot 76 and will have to fight to make the cut on Friday.

It’s safe to say that after the round, DeChambeau was not happy with his results.

While he’s often positive, thoughtful and long-winded in media interviews, DeChambeau was none of the above Friday night. Perhaps it’s understandable, given what had unfolded at Augusta National on Thursday against expected odds.

The first question was about Bryson’s biggest misfortune of the day. On the treacherous par-4 11th, he twice failed to clear the green bunker, eventually leaving with a triple bogey 7.

What happened on the 11th?

“The bunker was softer than I expected,” DeChambeau replied curtly.

How did you know you weren’t going to leave given what happened last year in the final round?… when DeChambeau hit his approach on 11 into the green pond, resulting in a devastating double bogey.

“The ball went 12 feet farther than I wanted. I had a good shot.”

How is the 5-iron treating you?… the 5-iron that DeChambeau 3D-printed himself, which he enthusiastically shared at his pre-Masters press conference, along with plans to eventually build an entire set of homemade irons.

“Good. Was great on 7. Hit a good second shot. Wind didn’t hit it left. Irons are still something I need to work on.”

Are you satisfied with 5?

“Yeah, yeah. I mean, I only hit it once today, so…” DeChambeau said.

When Bryson was then asked how long it would take him to make one of his homemade irons, he seemed to grow increasingly impatient and eager to move on.

However, he made an explanation in monotonous points.

“It prints in eight hours. Cars, they’re three or four hours,” DeChambeau began. “Then you have to cut grooves in it and do a bunch of other things. So you can have something in a day and a half.”

But it was DeChambeau’s response to the next question that betrayed his true state of mind after an exhausting and unsuccessful trek up and down The pristine hills of Augusta National.

When asked if he would consider printing and building a new iron for the weekend rounds, a stunned DeChambeau responded with a facial expression that became an instant meme, then said, “No. It has to be USGA compliant. It’s a whole process you have to go through.”