Masters notes: No fans might help Bryson DeChambeau

Tiger Woods is all smiles working on his sand shots while preparing for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Bryson DeChambeau will miss the fans at the Masters but the lack of spectators might give him an advantage on some holes at Augusta National.

DeChambeau has taken golf by storm of late with his dramatically increased length, including his recent win at the U.S. Open.

In preparing for the Masters without fans, DeChambeau plans to hit drives where he would normally not be able to land his golf ball. He cited Nos. 13 and 18.

Xander Schauffele, from left, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIIroy, and Dustin Johnson make their way down the 13th fairway during their practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

"But as of this year, it's going to be different because I'm going to be able to hit it on certain lines where patrons would be, and I feel like that it does provide me a little bit of an advantage in that case to be able to hit into those areas without thinking about it at all," DeChambeau said Tuesday.

"So you know, that would be the best answer I can give on that because you look at 18, I'm hopefully going to be able to hit it over those bunkers where the patrons would be. Another one would be 13 even. I can hit it through almost into 14 and they would be there, so this is a unique opportunity I think this year."

Fall leaves add some color to Augusta National Golf Club as Xander Schauffele watches Phil Mickelson's fairway shot to the 11th green during their practice round for the Masters on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Tiger Woods gets in some practice for the Masters working on his sand shots on the range at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Tiger Woods gets in some practice for the Masters tossing a handful of golf balls into a sand trap on the practice range at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Xander Schauffele, from left,, Rory McIIroy, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson cross the Nelson Bridge to the 13th fairway during their practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Dustin Johnson hits his sand shot to the 10th green during his practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Dustin Johnson, left, and Rory McIIroy, right, look on while Phil Mickelson tees off on the 14th hole during their practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Rory McIIroy, from left, Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson share a laugh walking off the 13th tee box during their practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)