DiMarco celebrates a birdie at the tenth

But six years ago he nearly quit the game because of his inability to make short putts.

He overhauled his technique, and the result was what has been described as "one of the ugliest putting grips ever seen".

His grip has been labelled the "psycho" method.

He uses a standard-size putter, but spreads his hands in the manner that Bernhard Langer employs with his broomhandle.

When he unveiled it, he was the butt of endless comments from his fellow competitors.

He found it worked, though, and was not to be deterred.

"The game was no fun until I tried this putting grip," he said.

"I had so much of a struggle from five feet and in, and it helps me stay smoother and strike it better."

High hopes

DiMarco made $1.8m last year, and is clearly growing in confidence.

"After I won last year, I've just become a lot better player all round, emotionally-wise, ball-striking-wise. I guess it just took me a little longer," he said.

Only two rookies have won green jackets. First-timers tend not to thrive in the high-profile, high-pressure US Masters. Who knows whether DiMarco can become the third?

Some are murmuring that he should enjoy the lead while he can because he may not have it for long.

"You've played so many rounds of golf, and you've put yourself in so many situations," he said.

"You've been nervous and you haven't been nervous, and it's being able to handle all that.

"I think I've learned to handle all that. We'll see."