What Bryson DeChambeau said was ‘diabolical’ about St Andrews after the Old Course is confirmed as 2027 Open Championship venue

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St Andrews will once again host The Open Championship after the R&A confirmed the 2027 edition will be played at the Old Course.

The news maintains St Andrews’ five-year Open Championship cycle and means the course will host the historic event for a record 31st time.

The Open returning to the home of golf could also mean Tiger Woods gets to tee it up on the famous links one last time. Many assumed Woods’ 2022 Open appearance would be his last at the Old Course. Woods has publicly named St Andrews his favourite venue ahead of Augusta National and Pebble Beach.

Bryson DeChambeau’s view on St Andrews

Cameron Smith famously won the Claret Jug the last time The Open was played at St Andrews. Rory McIlroy, at one point, looked on course to clinch what would have been an iconic victory. Yet, the Aussie’s imperious putting saw him finish one shot clear.

Another player who enjoyed a positive week at the home of golf three years ago was Bryson DeChambeau. The LIV Golf star had to play the course in a slightly different way, however.

“Even with it being so firm, even with 3,000 spin on my driver, which I inherently did for this week, I can’t control it in the fairway. So I’ve got to play a 4-iron that can still run 300 yards and have wedges in from there. It does take driver out of play quite a bit,” DeChambeau told the media at the 2022 Open.

“And even 3-wood on 9 was too much, and there’s bunkers that are kind of diabolical. You’ve got to strategize your way around this golf course really well, and it’s not simple by any means.”

• READ MORE: The ‘really hard’ UK course which Tiger Woods said was ‘unfair’ and one of the most challenging he’s ever played

Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els love ‘wonderful’ St Andrews

Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els had slightly kinder words for St Andrews when discussing the course in their pre-tournament press conference.

“You don’t ever really get used to it. It’s just unique, a wonderful place,” said Els. Whilst Mickelson added: “I just see the greatness in the course when you get different winds because you see bunkers you don’t even know are there. Just the greatness of it kind of shines. I love playing and competing here. It’s just a special place.”

The six-time major winner also claimed that, given the right conditions, St Andrews plays like a US-style golf course.

Tiger Woods’ final Open appearance at St Andrews?

With just two years until The Open returns to St Andrews, Woods teeing it up at the Old Course feels extremely likely.

Regardless of his form or physical condition, the 15-time major winner surely won’t pass up the chance to say one final farewell to golf’s ancestral home.

Woods will be 51 by the 2027 Open, and considering Tom Watson nearly won the event at the age of 60, completing at least two rounds at St Andrews shouldn’t be an issue.

What’s more, Woods is currently competing in the TGL and could soon return to the PGA Tour. At the moment, there’s little indication that Big Cat is ready to hang up his clubs just yet.