Faldo Slams Bryson DeChambeau Links Strategy After 78 at Royal Portrush

Nick Faldo criticized Bryson DeChambeau for having zero clue of strategy ahead of the major at Royal Birkdale.

Nick Faldo has publicly criticized the Bryson DeChambeau links strategy, stating the American golfer possesses "zero clue" regarding tactical play on traditional seaside courses. DeChambeau enters the upcoming tournament at Royal Birkdale seeking to snap a streak of three consecutive missed cuts in 2026 majors. This slump follows a performance at Royal Portrush last year where the two-time major winner opened with a first-round 78 in Northern Ireland. Despite claiming that the "driver would be key" to navigating that course, DeChambeau eventually secured a 10th-place finish after his high-scoring start.

Faldo, who won The Open three times during his career, told Sky Sports that he would tell the American to his face that his approach lacks the necessary nuance. The veteran golfer argued against DeChambeau’s previous assertion that he would "attack the links," noting that such courses require threading the ball and feeding it down the fairway rather than raw aggression. Faldo emphasized that with fairways measuring only 20 yards wide, players must account for humps and bumps to nudge the ball back into play rather than simply blasting it into unknown territory.

3D-Printed Irons and Recent Form

To combat his recent major struggles, DeChambeau arrived in England on Monday with a brand-new set of 3D-printed irons in his bag. These clubs require approximately one hour to print, involving a complex process of machining and printing to reach the final specification. While the golfer has failed to make the weekend in three straight majors this year, his form on the LIV Golf circuit includes two victories and three top-three finishes. DeChambeau attributed his poor major results to "weird things happening" rather than a fundamental decline in his game.

Tactical Disputes at Royal Birkdale

DeChambeau expressed confidence on Monday, describing Royal Birkdale as a tough course that tests every facet of a player's skill set. He maintains that if he feels good, he can provide himself with a winning chance despite Faldo's insistence on a more conservative plan. Faldo countered this mindset by explaining that links golf is about getting the ball onto the short grass through calculated placement. He questioned the logic of hitting the ball without being able to see the landing area, suggesting that the American's current philosophy ignores the traditional requirements of the British major.

Statistical Outlook for the Open

The contrast between DeChambeau’s internal confidence and his statistical output in 2026 remains a focal point. Although he has secured two wins this season, his inability to navigate the opening rounds of the year's biggest tournaments has created an unwanted major streak. His previous round of 78 at Portrush serves as the primary evidence for Faldo's critique regarding the misuse of the driver on narrow fairways. As the competition begins in England, the effectiveness of the new 3D-printed technology will be measured against the strategic demands of the 20-yard wide landing zones characteristic of the venue.