The 153rd Open Championship kicked off at Royal Portrush with tough conditions and high expectations. For Bryson DeChambeau, the start wasn’t ideal.
Coming in on a hot streak with a win and two top-10s in his last four LIV Golf events, DeChambeau had hopes of contending for his third major title. But after carding a 78 in the opening round, those hopes took a hit. Surprisingly, the long-hitting DeChambeau wasn’t among the leaders in driving distance either. He ranked 15th on day one, averaging 312 yards off the tee.
Royal Portrush forces precision over power, and many players took a conservative approach. DeChambeau did the same, but couldn’t find rhythm early. Still, he stayed composed, something that hasn’t always come easily for him.
Slow round doesn’t break Bryson’s focus at Royal Portrush
“I want to go home… but I can’t give up,” he told reporters. “My dad always told me to keep pushing. I was proud of the way I held it together. I didn’t let the frustration take over.”
Known in the past for outbursts, Bryson made it clear this tournament is as much about personal growth as it is about performance. He emphasized his goal to set a good example.
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“I want kids watching to know they can fight through stuff,” he said. “That’s why I keep going.”
DeChambeau went out for 65 on Day 2, which was -6 for the day. His +1 for the tournament appears to be safe as day 2 unwinds, which will keep him at Royal Portrush for two more day.
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