DeChambeau arrives at the event in Georgia, which is due to begin tomorrow and conclude on Sunday (November 15), having won the US Open at Winged Foot in New York in September by six shots.

The 27-year-old, known for his long drives, has set himself his own par score of 67, five less than the official 72.

He believes he can break the course record at the tournament, taking place in the autumn for the first time after it was moved from its traditional April slot because of the coronavirus pandemic, of 18-under-par, held jointly by the United States' Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.

But DeChambeau - who leads the PGA Tour in average driving distance at 344.4 yards this season - has struggled in his appearances at Augusta so far during his career, with his best finish coming when he tied for 21st place in 2016 when he was still an amateur,

"I’m looking at it as a par 67 for me because I can reach all the par-fives in two, no problem," DeChambeau said, according to British newspaper the Daily Telegraph.

"If the conditions stay the way they are, that’s what I feel like par is for me.

"That’s not me being big-headed.

"I can hit it as far as I want to, but it comes down to putting and ­chipping out here. 

"That is one of the things I think people sometimes struggle to see. 

"As much as I can gain an advantage off the tee, I still have to putt it well and chip it well and wedge it well, and that’s what I did at the US Open."

Defending champion Woods is also among the field as he aims for a 16th major golf title.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlory will bid for the sixth time to complete his career grand slam of majors, while world number one Dustin Johnson of the US is seeking a successful return after testing positive for coronavirus last month.

The tournament will be held without fans because of the coronavirus crisis.