Another frustrating day on the links of Royal St. George’s did nothing to dull Bryson’s DeChambeau’s affection for the oldest championship in golf.
Hitting just five of 14 fairways in Saturday’s third round of the 149th British Open, DeChambeau signed for a 2-over-par 72 and stands well behind the leaders at 3 over through 54 holes by the sea in Sandwich, England. It was the latest chapter in a poor history in the Open Championship for the 2020 U.S. Open champion and world No. 6, who has now played 11 rounds spread over four starts in the championship and broken par in just two rounds.
Despite missing the cut twice, finishing 51st and looking at another result north of 50 in his four starts in the British Open, DeChambeau will eagerly continue to examine the puzzle inherent with links golf and search for answers.
“This is, by far, the hardest tournament to figure out,” DeChambeau told reporters after his round. “It’s why I love it here, because of the challenge. This one keeps me scratching my head.”
It’s been a turbulent week for DeChambeau, who said his “driver sucks” after the first round and he was living on the “razor’s edge,” which ignited a storm when a representative for his equipment company, Cobra, took issue with their player’s comments and responded with a strong rebuke.
DeChambeau later apologized and said he made a mistake he hopes to learn from. He said he will continue to work with Cobra and looks forward to crossing the pond again next year for the 2022 Open on the Old Course at St. Andrews.
“Hopefully, St. Andrews will be a little more forgiving to me,” he said.