Bryson DeChambeau

There is nothing like The Open to put Bryson DeChambeau’s innovator reputation to the test.

Links golf and the American’s big hitting, full throttle style doesn’t necessarily make for a happy marriage on paper but DeChambeau has already proven plenty of people wrong in 2024.

He produced his best finishes to date at the Masters and the US PGA Championship before securing a second US Open triumph, so his form going into Royal Troon is as good as anyone’s in the field.

Yet The Open is arguably the major he has found toughest to crack with just the one top-30 finish coming in The 150th Open at St Andrews.

Speaking of DeChambeau’s nicknames, he was once the ‘Incredible Bulk’ before ditching his extreme diet and he admits a lesser approach might be needed on the golf course this week too.

“Greens are pretty fair, but driving it straight and controlling that golf ball underneath the wind is going to be super key this week,” he said.

“I hit the golf ball really high and that definitely is helpful in certain situations. Out here in the wind this week, I've got to keep the ball under the wind a bit more, keep a lower flight.

“For me it's going to be about controlling that height through the length of backstroke for me this week. It's going to be tough.

“I think that's what's so great about links golf and The Open is that it offers a different test.”

DeChambeau showed in his US Open triumph at Pinehurst earlier this year that he has the mettle to get over the line.

His up-and-down on the 18th was one of the biggest pressure plays in US Open history and is bound to be on his mind if he’s in contention once again this Sunday.

“The second US Open win cemented my own comfort levels that I know I can do it again and again, and I can give myself more runs at numerous majors,” he said.

“Obviously I've played well in a lot of the majors this year, but I pulled it all together for the US Open.

“So just giving myself that comfort and knowing that I can do it pretty much with any type of game I have is really cool.”

DeChambeau’s upturn in fortunes at majors has coincided with an increase in his support.

He admits that he is better at managing his emotions now and is pleased to have far more fans on his side.

“I think I've always been who I've been,” he said.

“I've definitely matured a lot. It's been a growing process for me over the course of time.

“YouTube has massively helped, I can tell you that, being able to just release the emotions in the way that I know I can.

“There were times where I got frustrated, but also times where I realised I should be expressing my emotions because that's me.

“I don't want to be someone that I'm not. Just really defining that and refining that to a place where I am today has been a lot of work in progress.

“It's just taken time for me to have a better, bigger perspective on life and also having a platform where I can showcase that and refine it to a really cool level and give people some great entertainment.”

Most notably there was the life-changing experience in November 2022 when his father, John DeChambeau, a former PGA Tour pro, died aged 63 due to complications with diabetes.

“We've all had some struggles and strife in our life, the relatability of time is more prevalent than ever,” he said.

“I think that relatability has allowed me to understand the game of golf and what it is and what it's for.

“You realise that this great game is not always going to be here. I'm not always going to be here. I'm going to move on at some point, and I want to do as much as I can in the short time I've been given.”

Eighteen months on, DeChambeau says he is as happy as he ever has been and there is a sense that all the ingredients are there for another memorable major performance.

“It would be awesome to let everybody touch the Claret Jug. That would be a dream come true,” he added.

“I've got to get the job done first. I can't think too far ahead.”