Day 1 of the Open Championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland will not be an occasion Bryson DeChambeau would want to relive again.  The two-time US Open winner struggled mightily, failing to score a single birdie during the entire stretch of eighteen holes. DeChambeau, however, did card three bogeys and two double bogeys to finish with a score of 7 over par and a potential second round exit.

But the LIV Golfer refused to give up and fought hard on day 2. Early in the day, DeChambeau put on a display of superior golf, carding 7 birdies enroute to a 6 under par score. This included three birdies in a row from holes 12 to 14, a clear indication of his growing comfort with respect to the Royal Portrush. DeChambeau’s total of 1 over par is likely to be enough for him to survive the cut line and put forth another big push during the weekends.

After his second round, the two-time Major winner was asked about how he stayed positive despite the tough round he had on the first day. DeChambeau revealed that he had contrasting emotions, after growing exhausted by the unrelenting Portrush. He felt that he would not be able to do anything, and wanted to desperately leave his bid for a third major and go home.

“I want to go home. But I woke up this morning and I said, you know what, I can’t give up. My dad always told me never to give up, just got to keep going, and that’s what I did today. I was proud of the way I fought back, really persevered through some emotionally difficult moments, and to hold myself together and not get pissed and slam clubs and throw things and all that like I wanted to, like I was very proud of myself.” DeChambeau explained about what he went through before day 2 started.

The second round showed signs of promise early itself. DeChambeau started by making par, but saw his fortunes turn during the second hole itself as he carded his first birdie of the tournament. He did not rush anything unlike the first day, and stayed patient, carding four more pars, before notching another birdie at the par-5 7th. He ended the front nine with another birdie on the 9th.

“As much as I did want to leave, I didn’t want to. When I got here, I was like, I want to play the weekend. That was kind of an appreciation, I think, clap for working hard and getting back to where I was, so I thanked them for that.” DeChambeau further added, talking about the ovation he got after a tough two days at the Northern Ireland course.

DeChambeau has done the easy part. Surviving till the weekend. Now comes the hard part. Get a result at an event that he failed miserably last year. The 2024 Major season was going strong for the LIV Golfer, carding three top 6 appearances in the first three majors. Then came the Open, where he missed the cut, much to the surprise of many.

The cursed Open Championship for Bryson DeChambeau

The American golfer has uncharacteristically struggled at the Open Championship compared to the other majors. The Open is the only major in which he is yet to card a top 5 finish. His best-ever finish in the Great Britain-based event is a T8 which he achieved at the 2022 edition. That is his only top 10 finish at the fourth major. At the other three he has atleast two top 10 finishes.

“In order to be a complete golfer you’ve got to win over here. That’s something I’ve struggled to do. I’ve played well at times when it’s dry and greens are more consistent in their bounce and the greens are a little bit better.” DeChambeaus had explained his intentions. Just like how he went ahead with a different mindset on day 2, DeChambeau does not want to give up on the Open Championship that easily.

Can Bryson DeChambeau break his curse and claim the Open Championship in the coming years?