Bryson DeChambeau produced a three-under 67 on the opening day of The Open at Royal Birkdale and used his post-round comments to rebut Sir Nick Faldo’s assertion that he lacked a coherent strategy for links golf.
DeChambeau stresses planning, not power
The American, who has been the subject of public commentary from the three-time Open champion, said he had been methodical in his approach during a round that included five birdies and two bogeys. He sat a single stroke off the early clubhouse leaders after the first round.
"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 on placing it in the right places,"
DeChambeau chose to limit his media interactions, speaking only to the R&A’s in-house broadcast rather than the wider press — a continuation of his media restraint at majors this season. In one brief reply he repeatedly used the term "strategic" to underline his point.
Context and scoreboard
DeChambeau’s 67 left him close to the lead after favourable early scoring conditions, and it was enough to put him within sight of the top of the leaderboard. His round will attract attention both for the score and for his direct response to Faldo’s criticism.
- DeChambeau: 67 (five birdies, two bogeys)
- Dan Brown: clubhouse leader, one stroke ahead
- Sungjae Im: also near the top of the leaderboard
| Position | Name | Score (R1) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Brown | 66 |
| 2 | Sungjae Im | 66 |
| 3 | Bryson DeChambeau | 67 |
Yorksireman Dan Brown led the field after a strong start and sat in the clubhouse with the lead for the second time in three years. The South Korean Sungjae Im also occupied the top tier of the leaderboard. Brown, who has previously handled the pressure of contending in majors, admitted to coping with nerves by smoking during a break, an anecdote that underlined the unusual ways players sometimes manage stress during major championships.
For DeChambeau, the focus is practical: more fairways hit and continued tactical execution across the remaining rounds. Comments from Faldo about DeChambeau’s tactical comprehension prompted a pointed rebuttal, but the player’s performance on the opening day offered a clear, on-course response.
As the tournament progresses, the conversation around DeChambeau is likely to remain twofold: how he scores under links conditions and whether his tactical approach can withstand scrutiny from established figures in the sport.
