The Action Network supercomputer predicts that DeChambeau will overcome his previous shortcomings and claim glory at Augusta this week. He is projected to score 13-under-par and finish the tournament with a two-shot advantage, being assigned a 31.1 per cent chance of securing the victory.
The supercomputer considers Ludvig Aberg to be DeChambeau’s nearest challenger, backed to card 11-under at Augusta and given a 19.2 per cent chance of winning. The 26-year-old finished runner-up at the Masters two years ago. Last year’s Masters runner-up Justin Rose is forecast to share third place with Players Championship winner Cameron Young, with both men tipped to finish on nine-under. English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick is projected to card eight-under to round out the supercomputer’s top five.
McIlroy will be keen to defy the supercomputer’s predictions after being tipped to tie for seventh place on six-under, given a modest 3.3 per cent chance of claiming victory, alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele. According to the projected final standings, the reigning Masters champion is expected to finish seven shots adrift of DeChambeau.
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is another big name forecast to narrowly miss out on the top five, ending on seven-under. However, McIlroy recently admitted to admiring the world No.1’s mindset ahead of the Masters.
“He seems to be of this mindset that whatever happens on the golf course happens and it doesn’t make him any more or less of a man,” McIlroy told Fried Egg Golf. “I admire him so much for that because I’ve experienced this world where you can be pulled in so many directions, you have all these other opportunities that you can go and chase.
“And I have quite a curious mind, so I do go and chase those. But sometimes I do look at Scottie and wish maybe I didn’t have so much going on because it works for him so well.”
Meanwhile, DeChambeau recently opened up about how he plans to avoid repeating past errors at Augusta. “There’s always passion here, whenever I’m trying to win a tournament,” he said. “Been trying to win this event for quite a while and hopefully I’ve learned a lot of lessons, I’ll continue to learn more lessons this week, but hopefully my game is in the place where I can get it done this week.”
Supercomputer’s predicted Masters standings:
1. Bryson DeChambeau: -13
T7. Xander Schauffele: -6