Bryson DeChambeau is out to end his streak of missing the cut in his last three major starts at The Open. The American, who has enjoyed a great season on LIV Golf, is set to deploy a brand-new set of 3D-printed irons at Royal Birkdale as he looks to win his third major championship.
What happened?
Sir Nick Faldo believes Bryson DeChambeau has "zero clue of strategy" when it comes to playing links golf. The two-time US Open champion had attempted to take a more aggressive strategy in his opening round at last year's Open Championship, stating prior to the tournament that his "driver would be key" to conquering Royal Portrush. However, Faldo, who won three Open Championships, two at Muirfield and one at the Old Course at St Andrews, believes a more conservative plan is required to conquer Royal Birkdale this week.
Why it matters for Bryson DeChambeau
Faldo explained that players need to work backwards from the green when plotting out how to attack each hole in links golf. "I always used to look for all the downslopes because you don't have to hit the driver. You can twang your 1-iron or a 3-wood," Faldo said. "You hit it on the downslope, it scoots forward, you get an extra 30 yards of run."
What comes next?
DeChambeau is known as the 'Mad Scientist' for his analytical approach to tinkering with his equipment and his swing in a bid for greater distance. The 32-year-old is set to deploy a brand-new set of 3D-printed irons at Royal Birkdale as he looks to win his third major championship. "This is a tough golf course; I like it," DeChambeau told Live At The Range on Monday. "It really tests every facet of your game."
DeChambeau has enjoyed a great season on LIV Golf, winning both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa in March. However, he has struggled in his last three major starts, missing the cut in each of the PGA Championship, The Masters, and the US Open. DeChambeau is looking to end this unwanted run with a big finish at The Open this week.
Faldo's comments come as a surprise, given DeChambeau's impressive performance on LIV Golf. However, Faldo believes that DeChambeau's aggressive strategy is not the right approach for links golf. "You thread it, don't you? You feed it down the fairway," Faldo said. "You look at humps and bumps. If I send it over and feed it, it nudges back into play."
The Open is set to take place at Royal Birkdale from July 14-17. DeChambeau will be looking to end his streak of missing the cut in his last three major starts and secure his third major championship.