Bryson DeChambeau produced some exceptional golf during his opening-round 67 at The Open.
DeChambeau has performed terribly in the majors this season, missing the cut at The Masters, The PGA Championship and The US Open so far.
The American was being heavily tipped to miss the cut at The Open Championship this week.
However, the 32-year-old stood up under severe pressure and produced a truly superb round of golf.
His 67 leaves him one stroke off the lead after day one at Royal Birkdale, and he will now be confident in his chances of pushing on and contending over the weekend.
DeChambeau was part of a marquee pairing on day one at The Open, alongside reigning champion, Scottie Scheffler, and his fellow LIV golfer, Tyrrell Hatton.
And the two-time US Open winner ended the day with the lowest score.
Bryson DeChambeau delivers the perfect response at The Open
DeChambeau received all sorts of criticism before the start of the tournament this week.
Sir Nick Faldo said the American doesn’t play the kind of strategic golf required to succeed at The Open.
Then Brandel Chamblee suggested that DeChambeau is more interested in keeping up with YouTube star Grant Horvat rather than Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
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In fairness, all of that criticism was justified after the 32-year-old’s shambolic performances in the majors so far this year.
However, DeChambeau answered his critics emphatically on Thursday at Royal Birkdale.
He put in a really controlled performance, making five birdies and two bogeys on his way to a round of 67.
The LIV golfer flighted his ball down into the wind and worked it to the shape of the dog-legs when required to do so.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about DeChambeau’s round was that he managed to remain on an even keel throughout the 18 holes.
He was never too high, nor was he too low. Of course, the job is far from done, but he has built some really solid foundations with three rounds left to play at Birkdale.
Bryson DeChambeau’s stats from day one at The Open
DeChambeau was ranked 8th in strokes gained total on day one at The Open.
He ranked 7th in strokes gained around the green (+1.48), 8th in strokes gained approach (+2.51), and 8th in strokes gained off the tee (+1.59).
Despite all of that good work, DeChambeau experienced all sorts of problems on the green, and he was ranked 123rd in strokes gained putting (-1.31).
If the LIV Golf star manages to tidy up his putting, he could well be a factor at Royal Birkdale on Sunday afternoon.
And that would be quite the shock, given the negative rhetoric that surrounded the 32-year-old heading into The Open.
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