Bryson DeChambeau's opening shot at Royal Birkdale on Saturday whipped, cracked, and whooshed into the distance before pitching and tumbling into the rough left of the fairway. By the time he reached the ball, a large crowd had gathered, standing on tiptoes and perched on mounds, with some even spilling under the ropes as marshals tried to usher them back. When a fan shouted, "Careful Bryson!" as he waded into the rough, the crowd erupted in laughter.
Many spectators watched through their phones—not just to see DeChambeau play golf, but to capture proof they were there. The question on many minds: Did you even go to The Open if you didn't see him?
The Penalty Controversy
DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty on Saturday for inadvertently improving his lie in the rough. The ruling sparked debate, with Rory McIlroy lashing out at DeChambeau for "holding The Open hostage" over the penalty row. DeChambeau's response—admitting nothing, denying everything—drew comparisons to Donald Trump, a figure with whom DeChambeau filmed a video last year that attracted more viewers than Sunday at the Masters.
DeChambeau, who chairs the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, seemed to gain sympathy from the crowd despite the controversy. He received a standing ovation when he walked onto the tee box for his opening shot, and supportive shouts like "C'mon Bryson!" and "Let's go Bryson!" far outnumbered the critical ones.
Crowd Interaction and Showmanship
DeChambeau played to the gallery throughout his round. On the 5th hole, a fan bellowed, "Don't go cheating Bryson!" before ducking away when his friend warned, "He's looking over!" On the 18th, someone shouted, "Up the R&A!" But DeChambeau leaned into the attention, spreading his legs wide over his ball on the 9th hole as if parodying his earlier penalty. He made the crowd wait before pulling out his driver, then ripped off the head cover like popping a champagne cork, sending the ball 350 yards to the front edge of the green.
"What a bullet!" a fan whispered as the ball whizzed overhead. DeChambeau walked off the fairway with arms raised, flicking two thumbs up at the crowd. He missed a three-foot birdie putt but tossed the ball to a child who had called out for it.
Entertainment Over Results
DeChambeau continued his antics: playing a bunker shot on his knees, rattling an approach shot into a TV camera, making impossible putts, and missing implausible ones. He finished one under par for the round with two bogeys and three birdies, and six under for the championship—one shot off his position before the penalty.
Opinions on DeChambeau vary widely. Some believe he deserved the penalty and was fortunate the R&A accepted it as unintentional; others see him as a victim of overzealous officiating. Regardless, he has captured the golfing world's attention. Whether he wins The Open or not, come Sunday, he will remain the player everyone is talking about.
