Bryson DeChambeau tears Augusta signpost from ground to set up magnificent Masters escape shot

Several signs point to Bryson DeChambeau winning this year’s Masters, including the one he yanked out of the ground at Augusta National on Friday.

Several signs point to Bryson DeChambeau winning this year’s Masters, including the one he yanked out of the ground at Augusta National on Friday. Battling to maintain his early lead during a windswept second round at the 88th edition of the major, trouble looked to be brewing for the big-hitting American when his tee drive at the par-five 13th hole skewed right into the woods beside the fairway. Most golfers would have opted to punch back out onto the fairway, but DeChambeau – once dubbed “The Scientist” for his willingness to test new boundaries and technologies – has long shown a flair for improvisation. Calculating an alternative route to the flag, the LIV Golf star set his sights on playing onto the neighboring 14th fairway. There was only one issue with his plan: one of Augusta National’s towering signposts was blocking his line of sight to the green. Not a problem for DeChambeau, who took matters into his own hands by hoisting the post up over his shoulder – much to the bemused delight of onlooking patrons – clearing the path for his successful escape and an eventual birdie. Rule 15.2 of the USGA’s Rules of Golf states that golfers are free to “remove a movable obstruction anywhere on or off the course and may do so in any way,” so long as it is done with “reasonable effort” and without damaging the obstruction or the course.