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By Ethan Carter — 17 July 2026 — 4 min read

DeChambeau’s Media Approach at The Open

At the 154th Open Championship in Southport, England, golfer Bryson DeChambeau chose not to speak with reporters after completing one of the day’s notable rounds at Royal Birkdale. This decision marks a continuation of a pattern, as DeChambeau has not engaged with the golf press at major championships since a first-round score at the Masters on April 9. No specific reason or explanation for this media blackout has been publicly provided.

Despite his decision not to grant interviews to the general golf media, DeChambeau did engage with official channels. He answered several questions for an R&A official and participated in a brief video interview for the R&A’s official media platforms. This engagement suggests a selective approach to public communication rather than a complete silence.

DeChambeau’s media stance at Royal Birkdale followed recent criticisms from prominent golf commentators and former players, Nick Faldo and Brandel Chamblee. These critics had discussed DeChambeau’s tactical weaknesses in the days leading up to the tournament. DeChambeau’s responses to the R&A, while subtle, indicated he may have been aware of these criticisms and did not receive them favorably.

Control and Public Perception

DeChambeau, often described as a media-savvy professional in golf, appears to be taking a break from traditional media interactions. This move contributes to a public perception that has frequently shifted between strong approval and strong disapproval over the past six years. His career has included two professional tours, two major championship victories, and significant online engagement through platforms like YouTube.

Throughout his career, DeChambeau has consistently demonstrated a desire for control, both on and off the course. His intense demeanor and unique equipment setup, along with his use of various training aids, reflect this pursuit of control in his game. When he does speak to the media, his detailed explanations of his efforts to control his golf ball can sometimes push the boundaries of conventional understanding, including mentions of cycling through numerous swing thoughts, consulting artificial intelligence, and exploring physics theories.

Off the course, DeChambeau’s meticulous approach is also evident in his work as a content creator and YouTuber. His online presence is carefully managed by a team of creative producers, whose primary role is to enhance his personal brand. This controlled environment allows DeChambeau to manage his public image and narrative, an aspect he appears to value highly.

This strategy provides DeChambeau with a platform where he can address topics on his own terms, such as discussing missed cuts in major championships through his own video content. This method allows him to potentially avoid misinterpretation, being taken out of context, or becoming clickbait, thereby maintaining a degree of control over his public narrative.

However, this control is not absolute. Despite his silence for much of the major championship season, public interest and questions about him persist. While he has insulated himself from direct questioning by the press, these questions continue to circulate, and his perspective is not being relayed through traditional media channels.

Slow Play Concerns at The Open

The Open Championship is known for its slow pace of play, attributed to factors such as a large 156-man field at Royal Birkdale, the absence of split-tee starts, course bottlenecks, and the length and difficulty of the course, combined with complex pre-shot routines. The R&A has implemented a Pace of Play Policy to address these issues and maintain the championship’s flow.

Despite complaints from many players regarding the slow play, Cameron Smith, who spent nearly five and a half hours on his opening round, expressed a different view. During a post-round conference, Smith stated that players are accustomed to long days at major championship venues, describing them as tough tests. He indicated that he was not frustrated by the pace of play, viewing it as an expected aspect of the event.

The classic style of The Open, featuring challenging crosswinds and considerable distances between tees on a links course, contributed to the slow pace. For example, Rory McIlroy’s group reportedly took four hours to complete just 11 holes at the previous year’s event, a delay that Justin Thomas attributed to swirling winds affecting fairway shots.

Smith’s own round was impacted by the conditions, with the wind shifting direction early in his play. He noted that he spent much of the day contending with crosswinds, which made tee shots unpredictable. On the front nine, Smith made par on the first and second holes despite the crosswinds but recorded bogeys on the par-3 4th, par-4 6th, and par-4 8th. His back nine included only one birdie on the par-4 11th, leading to a finish of 3-over 73.

Smith reflected on his round, stating he felt he hit the ball well and that a slight adjustment in accuracy could have yielded a different outcome. He also mentioned a peculiar moment on the 18th green where his putt took an unexpected bounce, attributing it to the firmness of the green. The 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year, despite a challenging run at majors over the past two years, expressed confidence heading into Friday’s play, hoping an early tee time could shift momentum and that his familiarity with the Birkdale course from his 2017 Open debut could be an advantage.

Source: golf.com