Bryson DeChambeau Comes Clean About Nearly Giving Up After Brutal Round

Bryson DeChambeau staged one of the most dramatic turnarounds at this year’s Open Championship, clawing his way back from a brutal opening round that left him wanting to “go home.”

The LIV Golf star looked completely out of sorts on Thursday, carding a 7-over 78 with zero birdies, his worst start in a major this season.

But Round 2 flipped the script for him. DeChambeau bounced back with seven birdies, climbing to 1-over-par, just inside the projected cut line.

Speaking to reporters after Friday’s round, DeChambeau admitted, “I want to go home” was the thought that consumed him after Thursday’s collapse.

But what pulled him back was his dad’s advice.

“I woke up this morning and I said, you know what, I can’t give up. My dad always told me never to give up, just got to keep going, and that’s what I did (Friday),” DeChambeau said, according to a transcript. “I was proud of the way I fought back, really persevered through some emotionally difficult moments, and to hold myself together and not get pissed and slam clubs and throw things and all that like I wanted to, like I was very proud of myself.”

When he was asked what changed between the two rounds, DeChambeau insisted it wasn’t much.

“I’ve played the same as I did (Thursday). That’s links golf for you,” he expressed during the press conference. “I executed pretty much the same shots. … My wedges were just a fraction better and that was really it,” he was quoted as saying “Made a couple more putts. Just really felt like I was rolling it well (Friday). There wasn’t much different. That’s why links golf is the way links golf is.”

Bryson DeChambeau has a history of struggling at The Open

Historically, DeChambeau has struggled to adapt to the chaos of links golf. In seven Open appearances, he’s missed the cut three times and cracked the top 10 only once (T8 at St Andrews in 2022).

His style and prediction skills have often clashed with the chaos of seaside golf.

But he’s not alone. Phil Mickelson famously struggled for years before finally mastering the format and winning the Claret Jug in 2013.

DeChambeau referenced that journey when asked what an Open win would mean to him.

“Yeah, look, in order to be a complete golfer you’ve got to win over here. That’s something I’ve struggled to do,” he said per transcripts. “I’ve played well at times when it’s dry and greens are more consistent. … But when it gets as chaotic as this, with the wind going every which way, flipping on 18 completely … you have to be a complete golfer that pivots on demand.”

DeChambeau currently sits well outside of the top 30, and winning will require some magical shots, just like his previous major performances this year.

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