Bryson DeChambeau shot a 3-under 67 in the opening round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on Thursday, marking a significant improvement after a difficult stretch in major tournaments. This performance came after DeChambeau missed the cut in three consecutive majors in 2026: the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open.
While DeChambeau shared the lead for a portion of the round, a bogey on his final hole left him at 3-under par. It was his first round under par in a major this year, and he finished one shot ahead of playing partner Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1.
DeChambeau's aggressive driving was evident at Royal Birkdale, which was playing firm and fast. Despite hitting only 5 of 14 fairways, he ranked second in strokes gained: off the tee in the morning wave. This performance contrasted with recent criticism regarding his game strategy and focus.
In 2024 and 2025, DeChambeau had been a consistent contender in majors, achieving six top-10 finishes in eight starts, including a victory at the 2024 U.S. Open and two runner-up finishes at the PGA Championships in 2024 and 2025. At that time, he was often mentioned in the same breath as top players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
However, recent commentary from figures like Nick Faldo and Brandel Chamblee questioned DeChambeau's focus, suggesting that his involvement with YouTube golf content may have impacted his performance in major championships. Faldo had stated DeChambeau "has zero clue of strategy," while Chamblee implied a shift in focus from competing against top players to engaging with YouTubers.
DeChambeau, who typically speaks with the media after his rounds, declined to speak to reporters following his first round at the Open Championship. His performance on Thursday offered a stark contrast to the recent critiques, at least for one day, as he demonstrated a level of play reminiscent of his previous major contention.
