Nick Faldo has accused Bryson DeChambeau of having “no clue about strategy” when it comes to golf as the American looks to end an unwanted major streak at Royal Birkdale.
Two-time major winner DeChambeau is heading into The Open despite three straight major misses in 2026, and he raised eyebrows with his tactics at Royal Portrush last year.
DeChambeau shot a first-round 78 in Northern Ireland shortly after declaring that “the driver will be the key” to victory over Royal Portrush. He finished 10th.
Faldo, a three-time winner of The Open, said a more conservative plan was needed.
“I would say it to his face: DeChambeau has no idea about strategy,” Faldo told Sky Sports.
Bryson DeChambeau prepares for The Open at Royal Birkdale. ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
“Last year he said, ‘I’m going to go out and attack connections.’ Well, I’ve never attacked links. You’ll pave it, won’t you? You feed it down the fairway.
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“You look at the humps and bumps. If I send him out and feed him, he will come back into play. You don’t think, “Oh, I’ll just blow it up there. I don’t see where I’m going.” The fairway is 20 yards wide.
“You have to think, ‘How can I achieve this on short grass?’ This is so important.”
DeChambeau arrives in England with a brand new set of 3D printed irons, and he told Sky Sports on Monday that he is confident of a positive week. DeChambeau, although struggling in majors this year, has two victories at LIV Golf.
“It’s a challenging golf course and I love it,” DeChambeau said. “It really tests every aspect of your game.
“I have new irons in my bag. They were 3D printed. It takes about an hour to print them. From machining, printing and all other processes we carry out.
“If I feel good, I know I can give myself a chance. I know I didn’t have the best results this year, but I won twice and finished in the top three three times. There are just a couple of strange things that happen at major tournaments.”