Multiple major winner to Bryson DeChambeau: "What were you thinking?"
Multiple major champion Padraig Harrington has questioned Bryson DeChambeau's strategy during the final round of the 2025 Masters.
Padraig Harrington says Bryson DeChambeau's strategy during the final round of the 2025 Masters was 'bizarre'.
DeChambeau shone once again at the first men's major of the year and entered round four trailing Rory McIlroy by two strokes.
McIlroy got off to a horror start and, when DeChambeau put a circle on his scorecard at the second hole, led by one.
Yet the reigning U.S. Open champion unravelled and any faint hopes of winning were dashed after he found the water at the 11th.
Harrington, 53, told RTE he was in disbelief watching DeChambeau at Augusta National on Sunday.
"What was he thinking on the third hole?" Harrington said, referencing the fact the American decided to hit an iron off the tee.
DeChambeau found the green with his second but proceeded to three-putt from 23 feet.
"Bryson has made his game by being a long hitter," Harrington said.
"He stands up on the third hole with a one-shot lead, possibly can drive the green, he lays up, makes bogey.
"Rory drives it, hits driver up to the near the edge of the green and makes his birdie.
"It was the most bizarre change of personality I've ever seen in the game of golf right there in that moment.
"It was beyond bizarre what he did off the tee, for him in his personality. He didn't hit a shot afterwards."
Harrington said the bogey 'gave all the momentum back to Rory'.
"It was just a change of attitude by him," Harrington said. "Not being yourself can be a very dangerous thing in golf."
McIlroy then played the next seven holes in three-under and eventually prevailed in a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose.
DeChambeau finished four shots behind Rose and McIlroy and told reporters he was angry and proud.
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The 31-year-old said it would have been a different outcome had he hit his irons better.
"But could have, should have, would haves," he said.
"There's a lot to take away from this week, a lot to learn, a lot to be proud of, a lot to be pissed about.
"But I learned a lot, and I'm ready to take the challenge on again."
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