Bryson DeChambeau responded to criticism of his strategy by making a strong start at The 154th Open, shooting an opening-round 67 at Royal Birkdale. This impressive performance came after Sir Nick Faldo questioned DeChambeau's approach to links golf on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, suggesting he had "zero clue of strategy."

DeChambeau, aiming to avoid missing all four major cuts this year, mixed five birdies with two bogeys. Following his round, he declined interviews with both television and written press, a pattern seen during his missed cuts at the PGA Championship and US Open. He did, however, provide a brief statement to the R&A.

"I feel like I did a really good job today of being incredibly strategic and focused super hard in placing it in the right places," DeChambeau stated, adding that his opening 67 was his best start at The Open. Faldo, however, humorously claimed credit for influencing DeChambeau's strategic play, saying, "I think I rattled his cage!"

DeChambeau's playing partner, Tyrrell Hatton, expressed no surprise at his performance, calling him "an amazing player" who "flights the ball great."