{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/680a0159fcccdba3a5365c3e/69d706ae2a193257ad1a020d?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The 90th Masters Begins & Bryson's YouTube Bombshell - April 9th, 2026","description":"<p>On April 9th, 2026, we break down the dawn of Round 1 at the 90th Masters, featuring firm course conditions, shocking career pivots, and a wild Wednesday Par 3 Contest.</p><p><br></p><h3>COURSE CONDITIONS &amp; RANGE INSIGHTS</h3><ul><li>Augusta is playing incredibly firm, prompting drastic last-minute equipment changes, including Jake Knapp swapping drivers to gain 12-15 extra yards just to clear the daunting fairway bunkers on holes 5 and 8.</li><li>Dustin Johnson predicts his 2020 scoring record is safe, calling the newly lengthened 7th hole an \"absolute rear end of a hole.\"</li><li>Rookie Chris Gotterup spent his practice rounds thoroughly confused as to why the 4th hole is named \"Flowering Crabapple\" when it clearly features a prominent palm tree.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>THE FAVORITES &amp; RIVALRIES</h3><ul><li>Bryson DeChambeau dropped a massive bombshell by teasing a departure from LIV Golf for YouTube, while also leaning heavily into his fierce, ongoing rivalry with defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy.</li><li>\"Do I want to beat him every time... absolutely,\" Bryson said of Rory, while calling a YouTube career an \"incredibly viable option.\"</li><li>Despite ranking a shocking 80th in SG: Approach, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler remains grounded: \"If I let my bad golf define me I would be a pretty miserable person.\"</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>PAR 3 CONTEST &amp; SWING SCIENCE</h3><ul><li>Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest delivered its usual magic, with Aaron Rai shooting a 21 to win the event and officially inherit the dreaded Par 3 Curse ahead of Thursday's opening round.</li><li>Defending champion Rory McIlroy is relying on indoor swing science, utilizing a 65-to-63 percent weight shift to create his signature \"V for Victory\" divots.</li><li>Comedian Kevin Hart hilariously dumped Bryson's ball in the water, Wyndham Clark aced the 7th, and Frankie Fleetwood gave a joyful quote about hitting his own shot into the drink.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Quick Hits</h3><p>Ryan Gerard traveled 10,000 miles to Mauritius, noting he \"would go across the world\" for a Masters invite • Tyrrell Hatton would spend a hypothetical $15 concession budget entirely on \"Three beers\" • Dr. Corey Walker says the modern high-torque swing destroyed Tiger Woods' lumbar spine, making a comeback nearly impossible after his recent DUI and move to a Swiss rehab facility</p>","author_name":"Golf.ai"}