Bryson DeChambeau has admitted he’s had to make changes to his game to deal with the challenges of The British Open .
The LIV Golfer possesses the league’s longest driving distance, something he has been able to use to his advantage during the LIV events as well as the majors played in America. But The Open Championship proves a different challenge to the 30-year-old as he looks to finally make his mark in the competition.
DeChambeau arrives at Royal Troon on the best run of major results of any golfer this year, following a career-best tie for sixth at the Masters with a second-place finish in the PGA Championship before claiming his second U.S. Open success in June. But The Open Championship remains a tournament he’s yet to crack, although his brilliant run so far this year leaves him feeling confident his game can adapt.
“You've got to be very strategic out here,” he said. “Look, I've played well on strategic golf courses in the past, whether it be RBC Heritage, I've played well there in the past. Valderrama, I played pretty well. I had two top 10s there, finished second last year and ninth this year. Those are pretty strategic golf courses and very placement-oriented golf courses. So, I think I’m pretty solid at it.”
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DeChambeau’s perfectionist approach to eliminating variables comes up against the ultimate test on a gusty, dew-soaked course in Scotland. “It can be a difficult challenge,” he admitted. “I wouldn't say it's a problem. It's a challenge.
“I think that's what's so great about links golf and The Open Championship, and what it provides is a different test to try and figure out and get an A on, I guess you could say. It's always been a difficult test for me because I wasn't great at putting early on in my career. I've gotten a little bit better. My wedge game has gotten better. I've learned to flight the ball a little bit.
“So slowly it's getting there. Just a couple more reps. Shoot, if I play well this week, I think I can give myself a good chance obviously. That's all I'm focused on. I just think over the course of time I'm going to get more and more comfortable with this golf course.”
DeChambeau recorded his highest-ever finish at The Open in 2022 when he finished tied 8th, 12 under par and eight shots behind winner Cameron Smith. However, his results at the three majors earlier this year are the best of his career to date and his form could inspire him to a personal best finish at Royal Troon.
However, he admitted to the Telegraph , that he needs to learn to control his emotions better when playing in front of British crowds. “The British fans were always great to me, even through all of that,” he said. “Hey, they booed me at St Andrews a few years ago, but that was only because they wanted me to take driver on every hole.
“It’s great fun, but I have to rein myself back in, because I really want to give them what they want around those tee-boxes. I have learned to be more disciplined, because as much as you want to entertain, this is a sport.”
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