THE 153RD OPEN

July 18, 2025

Bryson DeChambeau

Mixed Zone

Q. The improvement today over yesterday, can you explain that to us?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I've played the same as I did yesterday. That's links golf for you. I executed pretty much the same shots as I did yesterday. I didn't feel like I played any different. Today they just kind of went more my way. My wedges were just a fraction better and that was really it. Made a couple more putts. Just really felt like I was rolling it well today. There wasn't much different. That's why links golf is the way links golf is.

Q. What do you tell yourself last night when the breaks don't go your way?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: 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.

Q. How hard is that to not do that, and how much did it take to not do that? Do you tell yourself something to stop you doing it?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Yeah, I want to be a good role model for kids, and I struggled with that in the early part of my career. I want it to be different now. That's the reason why I do it.

(Audio interruption.).

...incredibly happy but hit a great putt, hit high lip and it was great to get that type of ovation coming down because I didn't want to leave. 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.

Q. Phil said yesterday that 2013 winning at Muirfield was the proudest moment of his career because he conquered a style of golf that he had never done before, became a complete golfer. Just curious how much that mountaintop is on top of your list of priorities as well?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Yeah, look, 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. But when it gets as chaotic as this, with the wind going every which way, flipping on 18 completely, when you're preparing all day for that left-to-right wind off 18, you have to be a complete golfer that pivots on demand.

I think he's right; it's the most proud moment of his career, which is awesome. For me, if I was to -- if it was ever to happen in my career, it probably would be the proudest as well.

Q. You seem to be using a different type of golf ball to practise with. Can you give some insight into that?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I'm using a different golf ball?

Q. Yeah, when you were practising on the range earlier in the week.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I was just -- you are so good at asking questions. (Laughter.)

Look, 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. That's something I hope to complete in the next year.

I need help out here. I hit it way too high. I've tried to lower my flight but I compress down on it really hard and the thing just -- I spin it like crazy, and then on my wedges I don't spin it. Launches high with no spin.

I'm working on a few things that'll help get that launch down while controlling the spin so it's more predictable out of my wedge shots.

That's what I was kind of working on and seeing if there was a more stable ball in windy conditions early in the week. There's not. But I'm working with somebody that I've already seen improvements on. 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 an iteration of it in the next couple weeks. Not in time for this week, but I'm going to give it my all this weekend.

Q. Before the tournament started, the executives at the R&A said that they'd held talks with the President's family to take The Open to Trump Turnberry. Obviously your video with the President was one of the most remarkable things --

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Got like 15 million views or something. It was fun.

Q. What would be your view of the Open going to his golf course?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I look at it as a golf course. It's one of the best golf courses in the world, and I'd love for it to be a part of the rotation. Albeit I haven't played it, I've heard so many great things about it, and anytime you get to play a special historical golf course like that, I think it's worthy of it for sure.

Q. Is he someone that - you know him - would try and make it special because of his connection to it?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Oh, yeah, I think he would. He'd still probably respect the R&A and what they're trying to accomplish. I can't speak on his behalf, but what I can say is knowing him, he'll do his best of a job as he possibly can, and I know they won't let him down.

Q. Just to clarify that golf ball, is that just for The Open or would you use that for everything?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: It might be for everything. Most likely for everything. I need a golf ball that on wedges can click on the face more consistently. I get a lot of slipping on the face just because of how vertical I am and how much loft I have, and it just rolls up the face and launches with no spin most of the time on my shots, so getting something that comes off at a more consistent trajectory in adverse conditions is really the goal.