Bryson DeChambeau can hit a golf ball a mile, but that won’t work this week at The Open at Royal Troon, where his accuracy and little power will be required.
The wind and weather will test players’ abilities in Scottish golf, and the unique nature of links golf will force many players to adjust their game plans. DeChambeau will have to make some changes.
“I’ve been able to hit the golf ball higher,” DeChambeau said, “and that helps in certain situations. The wind’s blowing this week, so I’ve got to learn how to control it. I’ve got to learn, but I’ve got to get it a little bit more downwind and hit it lower.”
While many players hit the ball through a certain window, that’s not the case for the two-time U.S. Open champion. There is a window, sure, but the former SMU golfer takes a different approach.
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“When you hit it back a certain distance, the ball comes out with a certain launch that depends on the loft,” he explained. “So if you focus on accomplishing that task and swinging the way you want to, the results will be clear.”
“This week it’s about controlling the height throughout the backstroke. It’s going to be difficult. Swimming right to left into the wind, then left to right and then back down is always difficult. It’s very difficult. Swimming low into the wind is the key for me this week.”
DeChambeau has embraced the challenge of links golf — he sees his distance as something to change, not an issue on the course — and the 30-year-old is loving the challenge this week.
While that has been difficult for him in the past, DeChambeau is more able to embrace the challenges thanks to the work he’s put into his game.
“Earlier in my career, I wasn’t very good at putting. Little by little, I’ve gotten better. My wedge technique has improved,” DeChambeau said. “I’ve learned to hit the ball a little bit further. If I play well this week, I’ll have a good chance. That’s what I’m focusing on. I think as time goes on, I’ll get more comfortable on this golf course.”
DeChambeau performed very well in his first three majors, tying for sixth at Augusta National, finishing second at the PGA Championship and winning the second round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
His confidence is at an all-time high heading into the final major championship of the season.
“If I continue to hit the ball well, hit the ball with my irons, putt the way I know I can, and do those three things, or even the four with chipping and playing in the bunkers, I think I’ll have a chance,” he said. “I know what to do. It’s just a matter of playing as consistently as I did at the U.S. Open. If I can play the golf I’ve been playing, I’ve got a great chance.”
DeChambeau will face Ludvig Oberg and Tom Kim in the first two rounds of the British Open. They tee off at 4:47 a.m. ET on Thursday and 9:48 a.m. ET on Friday.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow us for more golf articles. Follow You can follow us on all major social platforms. You can also follow us on Twitter Follow Her Instagram account is @golf_girl_sl.
