‘I wanted to go home' – Bryson DeChambeau enjoys 13-shot improvement as he flips Open form on its head at Portrush
HOME RUN 'I wanted to go home' – Bryson DeChambeau enjoys 13-shot improvement as he flips Open form on its head at Portrush
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BRYSON DeChambeau revealed he felt like packing his bags and flying home after his opening round nightmare 78.
But after a stunning second round of 65 - a full 13 strokes better than his opening effort - he's very glad he didn't.
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Bryson DeChambeau is a popular player at Royal Portrush
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Bryson DeChambeau equalled his best ever round at The Open
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His round of seven birdies and a bogey puts him on +1 - and equals his best ever round in The Open.
Unfortunately the eccentric American's opening effort of 78 means he is nine shots off the lead.
DeChambeau carded a seven-over 78 on Thursday that included three bogeys, two double bogeys and even an air shot.
Asked how he felt on Thursday night, he said: 'I wanted 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 p***** and slam clubs and throw things and all that like I wanted to.'
DeChambeau, 31, claimed there was nothing different in the way he played on the two days, despite the 13-shot swing.
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The two-time US Open champion said: 'I've played the same as I did yesterday. That's links golf for you.'
World No 15 DeChambeau struggles with links golf, having missed the cut in the 2024 Open and finished tied for 60th in 2023.
So the player nicknamed The Scientist has returned to the lab to find a solution to help him win The Open.
He was spotted testing a new prototype ball on the range at Royal Portrush — rumoured to be called a Polara Ultimate Straight golf ball.
Justin Thomas tries casting a spell on golf ball in desperate attempt to nail birdie putt at The Open
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Bryson DeChambeau improved his score by an amazing 13 strokes
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Bryson DeChambeau is said to be testing a new ball on the range
Credit: Reuters
The ball does not yet conform to the rules of golf so can't be used in competition, but DeChambeau believes the required tweaks will be made soon.
He said: 'I'm working with somebody that's going to get me a ball that works better for my speeds. Hopefully there's some more improvements to be made there.
'I need help out here. I hit it way too high. It's just not ready to be released, unfortunately. They can't make enough as quickly as they'd like.
"But it's coming; it'll be here, worst case scenario September but not in time for this week.'
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