Bryson DeChambeau ignores media after fast start
Bryson DeChambeau fires back at critics with a strong start at The Open, shooting 67 to stay in contention and avoid the dreaded Bryson Slam.
Bryson DeChambeau fired back at claims he has “zero clue of strategy” by making a fast start at The Open. The two-time US Open champion shot a 67 on Thursday, mixing five birdies with two bogeys at Royal Birkdale to shoot 3 under and move back into contention.
Fast start at Royal Birkdale
DeChambeau was under pressure to avoid the “Bryson Slam,” which would see him miss the cut in all four majors in a single calendar year. His previous record at The Open hasn’t been great, coming in at 20 over in the first round of his last five major starts. He needed a positive result to silence his critics, and the golfer found it on the links layout.
The round was a rollercoaster of momentum. DeChambeau was three under after 10 holes, but he bogeyed the par-five 14th. The player responded immediately with back-to-back birdies from the 16th, briefly moving into a tie for the lead before dropping a shot at the par-four last.
The conditions were difficult, with wind switching directions throughout the day. It was a “hard-fought battle,” DeChambeau said, noting the complexity of the group interactions with Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton.
“It was fun just seeing the ups and downs of the group,” DeChambeau said. “We all played pretty well, so it was a lot of fun.”
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“There’s some just driving holes out there that I’ve got to work on, but other than that I iron played really well and made some good putts. I three-putted once, but that’s life.”
“I think you’ve got to be a lot more strategic out on the golf course. I feel like I did a really good job today of being incredibly strategic and focused super hard in placing it in the right places.”
“Besides 18, I placed the ball in some good areas, but just needed to hit more fairways. Other than that, I felt like my strategy was nice today.”
An opening 67 is DeChambeau’s best start to The Open in nine appearances, a significant improvement over his recent major form.
Faldo questions strategy
Sir Nick Faldo criticized DeChambeau before the tournament began on the Golf podcast, questioning his aggressive play and strategy for links golf. It seemed Faldo’s comments may have motivated the champion.
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“I think I rattled his cage!” Faldo said on the channel after DeChambeau’s round. “He’s basically stuck you know what up and said: ‘Faldo, I do have strategy’.”
“I’m taking claim that I switched [him] on the strategy play. You have got to have that around here.”
Teammate Tyrrell Hatton backed up the golfer’s play, noting his ball flight was excellent on Thursday.
“It shouldn’t surprise anyone,” Hatton said. “He’s an amazing player. He flights the ball great. His ball flight today was really good – he didn’t really hit many bad shots.”
The structural differences between the undulating, wind-swept fairways of links courses and the bomb-and-gouge style favored by the champion often lead to friction in commentary. Links golf traditionally rewards accuracy and shot-making over raw power, forcing players to adjust their approach to fit the terrain rather than overpowering it.
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No press availability
DeChambeau took a firm stance on his media obligations after the round. He declined all TV interviews and skipped speaking to the written press, a move he has made during missed cuts at the PGA Championship and US Open. The champion did, however, give a brief interview to the R&A to reflect on the day’s play.
“Any time you get off to a great start, it’s awesome, but there’s three more days,” DeChambeau said. “There’s still a lot of golf to be played but ultimately, from my perspective, I was really excited about the way I played.”
When is The Open live on Sky Sports?
The broadcaster is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with wall-to-wall action from the final men’s major of the year. Coverage continues on Friday at 6:30 am on the Golf channel.
Featured Groups will be available on the platform or the Sky Sports App, along with a player focus feed. Extended coverage of The Open then starts at 9 am on Saturday and 8 am on Sunday on the Golf channel.
