AUGUSTA, Ga. — For Paul Pearman, a 64-year-old Augusta local, Masters week usually means constant celebration. He`s seen it all in his time living here.
Pearman, an artist with a unique home-museum on Lake Olmstead, is often at the heart of the Masters excitement. He`s deeply knowledgeable about Augusta`s history, especially the lore of Augusta National. Being a keen golfer, he even built a top-notch putting green in his backyard, complete with bright lights.
These lights were so powerful, they acted like a signal, drawing in a world-famous golfer.
One Friday night, Pearman returned home and switched on the green`s lights. He noticed a group walking across a nearby bridge and saw them turn sharply towards his house as the green lit up. They approached and greeted Pearman.
`Do you guys play golf?` he asked.
`Hi, I`m Bryson DeChambeau,` one of them replied from the dimly lit driveway.
`Nice to meet you, I`m Jack Nicklaus,` Pearman joked back.
Then, his guest stepped into the light, and Pearman realized it was indeed DeChambeau. `Oh,` Pearman admitted, `I`m not really Jack Nicklaus.`
DeChambeau, after scoring a 69 on Saturday, positioned himself in the final group with Rory McIlroy. He`s only two shots behind McIlroy, aiming for his third major title and first Masters green jacket. His wedge play has been exceptional, leading the tournament in strokes gained around the green. This might be partly thanks to his unexpected practice session in an Augusta backyard the night before a crucial round.
At Pearman`s, DeChambeau practiced with his 72-degree wedges, sending balls high into the night.
`It looked like a blimp was flying overhead, dropping golf balls onto the flags,` Pearman described.
DeChambeau also tried out Pearman’s unique putter, a large, clear Lucite block with a head like a bar of soap.
`Like those novelty items with a scorpion inside,` Pearman said. `The kind of thing you might get for employee of the month.`
Pearman rushed inside to tell his wife, Michele, to get out of her pajamas: `Get up! Bryson`s in the backyard!`
`You`re kidding me,` she responded, not believing him.
But it was true, and Michele was immediately charmed by DeChambeau`s politeness to everyone, including their Rottweiler, Rosie. `He was so nice,` she said. `He introduced himself, shook my hand. And he was so friendly with Rosie, who loved it.`
DeChambeau is known as one of golf`s most intriguing personalities. At tournaments, he often practices late into the evening after his rounds. He uses a launch monitor even on the putting green. He`s also a YouTuber and quite successful at it. He`s known for trying unconventional methods that might raise eyebrows among other pros.
Like honing his short game with a collection of mismatched clubs he found in a backyard shed.
Pearman was curious why DeChambeau was wandering around Augusta so late and stumbled upon his backyard practice area. DeChambeau explained he couldn`t sleep. `I understand,` Pearman replied.
Pearman`s unique character has brought him interesting acquaintances. In 1989, he broke Tony Alva`s Guinness World Record for the longest skateboard jump over barrels. He`s a third-degree black belt and holds state and national amateur kickboxing titles. He also creates mosaics and belt buckles, selling many to famous musicians and celebrities.
Rory Sabbatini has worn Pearman`s belt buckles at the Masters, and Jeff Knox, Augusta National`s legendary marker, wore one when he outscored McIlroy in a 2014 round.
Because of this, Pearman knows many people, and his backyard green is far from ordinary. Measuring 71 by 41 feet, this kidney-shaped green has its own drainage system with `nine French drains and 15 catch basins,` Pearman explained. `It`s probably the largest artificial green in town.`
He intentionally added undulations to make it more challenging and interesting over time, which he believes caught DeChambeau`s attention.
`This is really cool,` DeChambeau said. `Usually, they`re quite small and flat.`
Pearman, being an artist, has always admired DeChambeau`s approach to golf, his energy, and his constant experimentation with his game and equipment. Now, Pearman witnessed DeChambeau`s dedication firsthand. He watched a player who had already practiced extensively at Augusta National find more answers in his backyard on a Friday night.
And it seems those answers might have been found there.
On Saturday, Pearman and his friends watched DeChambeau sink a 45-foot birdie putt on the first hole from Pearman`s `golf shed.` Later that day, even more people gathered to see DeChambeau birdie three of the last four holes, including a 48-foot putt on the 18th, securing his place in the final group and gaining crucial momentum for Sunday.
`I might cry if Bryson doesn`t win tomorrow,` Michele admitted.
Paul mentioned his biggest yard problem is clover, despite it being full of four-leaf clovers. Perhaps, he suggested, there`s something lucky about his yard.
`It`s just lucky out here, man,` he said. `Clearly, one lesson was all it took.`
After his successful Saturday round, and his Friday night practice, DeChambeau was asked about avoiding burnout from his intense practice schedule.
`The most important thing is to relax and have a fun, enjoyable night,` he said. `Spending time with friends and family, just being myself… The more I can be myself, the longer I can keep going.`
