Story perspectives

DeChambeau Opens Royal Birkdale 67; Faldo Doubts Strategy

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Bryson DeChambeau opened the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale with a three-under 67 on July 16, 2026.
Nick Faldo said DeChambeau had “zero clue of strategy” on a July 16, 2026 podcast.
DeChambeau told R&A media he was “incredibly strategic,” praised ball placement and called his strategy “nice today.”
Faldo posted a July 17, 2026 video clarifying he targeted strategy, not DeChambeau personally, as DeChambeau entered after missing cuts and using 3D-printed irons.

History

Historical Context

In 1979 Gary Adams’s TaylorMade released the first stainless-steel metal driver, ending the era of wooden heads that had dominated until the late 1980s. The success spurred oversized titanium designs and prompted the USGA and R&A to set a 460 cc volume limit, a regulatory pattern echoed today as Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D-printed irons debut at the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale.

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Story summary

Bryson DeChambeau opened the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale with a three-under 67 on July 16, 2026.
Nick Faldo said DeChambeau had “zero clue of strategy” on a July 16, 2026 podcast.
DeChambeau told R&A media he was “incredibly strategic,” praised ball placement and called his strategy “nice today.”
Faldo posted a July 17, 2026 video clarifying he targeted strategy, not DeChambeau personally, as DeChambeau entered after missing cuts and using 3D-printed irons.

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