Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Bryson is baffled by struggles
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU admits he is yet to figure out a strategy to tame The Open “beast”.
But the big-hitting American pledged to keep trying after failing to overpower Royal St George’s.
World No.6
DeChambeau is three over after a third-round 72 despite unleashing some huge drives.
In his three previous Opens, DeChambeau has missed the cut twice and come tied 51st, which he is unlikely to better before next year’s 150th event at St Andrews.
DeChambeau, 27, said: “We have tried a lot over the last four years and we are going to keep working as hard as we can to figure this beast out.
“It keeps me scratching my head.
“My wedges aren’t good right now, that is part of the reason I don’t play well over here.
“Hopefully St Andrews will be a little more forgiving to me.
“I absolutely still believe I can do it.
“But it is going to take a lot of work – nothing seems to be working right now.
“This is the hardest tournament for me to figure out, no doubt about it.
“But I think it is a fun task and I am up for the challenge.”
DeChambeau cut loose on the back nine with his driver off the tee, including going for the 379-yard par-four 12th and clearing the water hazard at 330 yards on the par-five 14th.
He added: “I just wanted to give the crowd a little something and hit it over the creek there.
“I made birdie but it would have been cool to hit it in close and make an eagle.
“It is a tough tee shot with the out-of-bounds right, so I don’t think there will be many who clear the water. It is nice to do but I want to score well.”