TEE-TIME TALES: ‘Mad scientist’ Bryson DeChambeau is at it again, thrifty patrons eye huge profits on their Augusta gnomes and Sir Alex Ferguson follows Rory McIlroy onto the course

Bryson DeChambeau is at it again. The ‘mad scientist’ is playing with a custom-made set of irons made by a 3D printer. 

Big-hitting DeChambeau — the 2020 US Open champion — swapped to his new clubs on Tuesday. 

They feature something known as ‘bulge and roll’, tweaks added to the face to reduce the negative impact of strikes that do not come off the centre of the club, and were only cleared for use by officials shortly before the tournament started.

Patrons cash in 

More gnome news. Earlier in the week, Tee-Time Tales reported how the miniature, bearded chaps were quickly flying off the shelves in the course’s retail stores.

It would appear that there is method in the madness of the buyers. 

Some thrifty patrons with an eye for a profit have started to offer the pint-sized products for sale on the internet marketplace eBay for as much as £434. 

That staggering figure is more than ten times the original retail price of £39.74.

Gnomes have been the must-have purchase at Augusta National’s merchandise stores 

Scheffler lost without his wife 

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler is without his wife Meredith at the course this week, as she is back at the family home waiting for their first child to arrive.

It would appear that she does plenty of the heavy lifting in the household. ‘It’s a bit weird,’ he explained while discussing her absence. 

‘Fortunately, Nike kind of takes care of my clothes this week so I don’t have to pick my own outfits. I did make breakfast this morning, which was an adjustment.’

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler’s wife Meredith is at home waiting for their first child to arrive

Voice of Augusta to retire 

He may not be a household name in the UK, but chances are that if you like golf then you will have heard the voice of CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist. The 83-year-old will hang up the microphone this year after his 40th Masters.

Lundquist is the commentator who delivered the immortal soundtrack to Tiger Woods’ famous 2005 chip at the 16th.

‘In your life have you ever seen anything like that?’ he asked, as the ball disappeared.

Iconic CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist will hang up the microphone after his 40th Masters

Sir Alex returns to the Masters 

While his love of horse racing is well known, Sir Alex Ferguson is also a huge admirer of golf. 

The 82-year-old is here at Augusta and was spotted enjoying the sunshine on Saturday as he followed United fan Rory McIlroy onto the course. 

In 2016, Ferguson spent all four days here, and told eventual winner Danny Willett he had wagered £8,000 on Jordan Spieth to take the famous green jacket.

Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured last month) followed Man United fan Rory McIlroy onto the course