It was jarring to see Bryson DeChambeau miss the cut at this month’s US Open, with the two-time champion seemingly finding a way over the last couple of years to make sure that he is in the mix at almost every major he plays.
Bryson DeChambeau has finished in the top six in five of the last seven majors, with the high point coming at the 2024 US Open where he won his second major title.
Before his difficult week at Oakmont, his previous missed cut in one of the sport’s four biggest events came at the 2024 Open Championship. DeChambeau was amongst a host of big names who missed out on making the weekend at Royal Troon.
Unfortunately for DeChambeau, The Open Championship has been a thorn in his side for much of his career. Of the 13 top 25 finishes DeChambeau has had in majors so far, just one has come in the British Isles.
Bryson DeChambeau’s chances of winning The Open Championship at Royal Portrush assessed
He finished tied for eighth at St Andrews in 2022. And speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Rex Hoggard admitted that he is not convinced that DeChambeau is ready to add the Claret Jug to his collection this year.
“I think Bryson DeChambeau is still one of the most compelling figures in the game. And I wouldn’t necessarily pick Royal Portrush, as I started the season as somewhere where I expect him [to contend], he has never played well in The Open,” he said.
“I think this goes to the heart of what Bryson DeChambeau is. He hates variables. He wants to get rid of all the variables that the game presents to him, and links golf is only about variables, where you don’t know exactly what the wind’s going to do, you don’t know exactly what the ball’s going to do when it hits the turf, as it bounces, you don’t know if you’re going to end up in one of those pot bunkers and have a shot out or have no shot whatsoever. That entire brand of golf I don’t think is something that he embraces right now.
“I have always pointed to how I would have always said the same thing for the vast majority of Phil Mickelson‘s career, right up until he won an Open Championship. So I do think there’s still plenty of runway for Bryson to find a way to figure out links golf. However, I’m not sure that this is the year.”
Why Bryson DeChambeau believes he has had issues at The Open Championship during his career
The Open Championship is a test that many of the world’s best get little time to prepare for. Many will be in the field for the Scottish Open the week before, while others may get themselves over to Northern Ireland nice and early.
However, there are few events on the calendar – whether that be the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour or LIV Golf schedules – which take place on links courses. So it is not surprising that some players simply do not give themselves the tools to boost their hopes of winning The Open.
And speaking ahead of 2024’s event, DeChambeau explained why he has traditionally had a few more issues at the final major of the year.
“It can be a difficult challenge. I wouldn’t say it’s a problem. It’s a challenge. I think that’s what’s so great about links golf and Open Championship, and what it provides is a different test and different — yeah, a different test to try and figure out and get an A on, I guess you could say,” he said.
“For me, I played well at Royal Lytham St Annes when it was firm and fast in the Walker Cup. Played well at St Andrews. Played well at other places. But it’s always been a difficult test for me because I wasn’t great at putting early on in my career. I’ve gotten a little bit better. My wedge game has gotten better. I’ve learned to flight the ball a little bit.
“So slowly it’s getting there. Just a couple more reps. Shoot, if I play well this week, I think I can give myself a good chance obviously. That’s all I’m focused on. I just think over the course of time I’m going to get more and more comfortable with this golf course.”
Much may come down to the weather and the side of the draw DeChambeau finds himself on. But you would not be surprised to see him win The Open at some stage during his career – even if this year is potentially not his time.
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