DECHAMBEAU NO LONGER GOLF'S 'MAD SCIENTIST'

First-round leader, part of the sport’s new school, finds value in old truths at Augusta

AUGUSTA - A Masters opening round that began with old-time nostalgia ended with the modern Bryson DeChambeau on top of the leaderboard, after he tamed the Augusta wind with an outstanding demonstration of precision.

Spectators who climbed up to a damp first tee on April 11 after early morning rain eased off were rewarded with the sight of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson getting proceedings underway as honorary starters.

For a few minutes, all the talk of rival tours, merger negotiations and multi-million-dollar contracts gave way to the warm glow of memories rekindled as three popular former champions offered a reminder of past glories.

Walk down the hill and head past the old scoreboard, though, and there is a reminder that for all Augusta National's old-school charm, it is very much a modern business.

Fans formed long lines to fill up shopping bags with merchandise from the club shop, which by some estimates brings in US$1 million (S$1.4 million) an hour during Masters week.

By then, it was down to business on the course as well and DeChambeau was collecting birdies almost as quickly as shop cashiers were swiping credit cards.

The American used a sizzling burst of late birdies to muscle into a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler, as Jon Rahm's Masters title defence got off to a shaky start.