AUGUSTA, Ga. — For Paul Pearman, a 64-year-old Augusta resident, Masters week usually means a constant stream of activity. Having lived in Augusta his entire life, he`s accustomed to the Masters excitement.
Pearman, a unique artist with a home resembling a museum on Lake Olmstead, often finds himself in the middle of the Masters buzz. He`s well-versed in local history, especially Augusta National lore. A keen golfer himself, he even constructed a top-notch putting green in his backyard, complete with impressive lighting.
This bright lighting inadvertently signaled to a world-class golfer.
On a Friday evening, Pearman returned home and switched on the green`s lights. He noticed a group walking across a nearby bridge, their attention immediately drawn to the illuminated green. They approached his house and greeted him.
`Do you guys play golf?` Pearman inquired.
`Hi, I`m Bryson DeChambeau,` one of them responded from the dimly lit driveway.
Pearman jokingly replied, `Nice to meet you, I`m Jack Nicklaus.`
As his guest stepped into the light, Pearman realized it was indeed DeChambeau. `Oh,` he admitted, `I`m not really Jack Nicklaus.`
DeChambeau, who scored a 69 on Saturday to join Rory McIlroy in the final group, is just two strokes behind and in contention for his third major title and first green jacket. His wedge play has been exceptional, leading the field in strokes gained around the green. Perhaps this is partly due to his late-night practice in an Augusta backyard the night before a crucial round.
At Pearman`s home, DeChambeau practiced with 72-degree wedges, sending balls high into the night sky.
`It looked like a Goodyear Blimp was flying overhead, dropping golf balls onto the flags,` Pearman described.
DeChambeau also used Pearman`s `Liberace putter,` a large, clear Lucite putter with a head like a block of soap.
`Like those novelty items with a scorpion inside,` Pearman joked. `The kind of thing you might win as employee of the month.`
Pearman rushed inside to tell his wife, Michele, to change out of her pajamas. `Get up! Bryson`s in the backyard.`
`You`re kidding me,` she replied incredulously.
But it was true, and Michele was immediately charmed by DeChambeau’s politeness to everyone, including their Rottweiler. `He was so sweet,` she recalled. `He introduced himself, shook my hand. And he was all over Rosie, and she loved it.`
DeChambeau is known as one of golf`s most intriguing figures. 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 enjoys experimenting with his game.
This includes refining his short game with unconventional clubs found in a backyard shed.
Pearman was curious why DeChambeau was exploring Augusta so late and stumbled upon his backyard practice area. DeChambeau explained he couldn`t sleep. `I understand that,` Pearman responded.
Pearman`s unique personality has led to many 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 a former amateur kickboxing champion. He also creates mosaics and belt buckles, some owned by famous musicians and celebrities.
Rory Sabbatini once wore one of Pearman`s belt buckles during a Masters round. Jeff Knox, Augusta National`s renowned marker, wore one when he outplayed McIlroy in a 2014 round.
Pearman`s connections are extensive, and his backyard green is exceptional. Measuring 71 feet by 41 feet, it features a sophisticated drainage system. `It has nine French drains and 15 catch basins,` Pearman detailed. `It`s likely the largest artificial green in town.`
He intentionally added undulations to keep it interesting long-term, which DeChambeau noticed.
`This is really cool,` DeChambeau commented. `Usually, they`re quite small and flat.`
Pearman, as an artist, admires DeChambeau’s relentless dedication to refining his game and equipment. He witnessed firsthand DeChambeau, after already hitting around 1,000 range shots that week at Augusta National, spending his Friday night seeking further improvement in his backyard.
And it seems his efforts might have paid off.
On Saturday, Pearman and friends watched from his `golf shed` as DeChambeau birdied the first hole with a 45-foot putt. Later, more gathered to see DeChambeau birdie three of the last four holes, including a 48-footer on the 18th, securing his place in the final group for Sunday and gaining crucial momentum.
`I might cry if Bryson doesn`t win tomorrow,` Michele admitted.
Paul mentioned his biggest yard work challenge is clover, though his yard is full of four-leaf clovers. Perhaps, he mused, it`s a lucky place.
`It`s just lucky out here, man,` he said. `Apparently, one lesson was all it took.`
After his impressive Saturday round, following his Friday night practice, DeChambeau was asked about avoiding burnout from his intense work ethic.
`The most important thing is to relax and have a fun, enjoyable night,` he explained. `Spending time with friends and family, just being myself… The more I can be myself, the longer I can sustain it.`
Jasper Hawthorne