British Open 2026: Bryson's rules controversy overlooks something big: He might have figured out links golf

SOUTHPORT, England — Lost amid the drama of what happened with Bryson DeChambeau’s rules situation late Friday night at Royal Birkdale, was his second-round score, originally a four-under 66, then changed to a two-under 68 with the two-shot penalty. Regardless, an impressive round.

>Moreover, it continues a trend for DeChambeau that dates back to Friday at last year’s Open Championship. Having missed the cut at Royal Troon in 2024, DeChambeau opened with a 78 at Royal Portrush in 2025 and looked destined to miss another weekend of links golf. However, something changed.

The 32-year-old bounced back with a 65 on Friday. Rounds of 68 and 64 over the weekend saw him go from flying home early from Northern Ireland to finishing inside the top 10.

>“I feel like we're getting close to some opportunities and solutions,” he told the media at Royal Portrush that Sunday. “It just takes a long time to develop stuff, I'm starting to learn.”

>That learning has continued this week at Royal Birkdale.

More From Golf Digest British Open British Open 2026: The surreal scene at Birkdale after Bryson DeChambeau's penalty News British Open 2026: Why was Bryson DeChambeau given a two-shot penalty? Here’s the rule that he violated News British Open 2026: (UPDATE) Bryson DeChambeau hit with two-stroke penalty after furiously arguing with R&A officials Opening rounds of 67 and 66—sorry 68—have DeChambeau just three shots off the lead with two rounds to play. In his first 26 rounds at The Open, from his first round in 2017 to his first round at Royal Portrush last year, DeChambeau has lost -3.5 shots versus the field average. Essentially, he has been a below average player on links courses.

Since then, in the five rounds dating back to Friday in 2025, the American is 14 under par and has beaten the field average by more than 23 shots. That is the best of any player who has played those five rounds.

>This progress has been overshadowed by the media spat between Sir Nick Faldo and DeChambeau regarding Bryson’s “strategy” for playing links courses. And while DeChambeau looks unconventional in the way he attacks Birkdale, there’s no question it’s been working so far.

>Of course, he didn’t speak to the media after the ruling last night. We weren’t able to ask him about his continued success at the Open Championship. However, don’t be surprised if he does the talking with his clubs this weekend.

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>Is it the British Open or the Open Championship? The name of the final men’s major of the golf season is a subject of continued discussion. The event’s official name, as explained in this op-ed by former R&A chairman Ian Pattinson, is the Open Championship. But since many United States golf fans continue to refer to it as the British Open, and search news around the event accordingly, Golf Digest continues to utilize both names in its coverage.

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