Bryson DeChambeau shot a three-under-par 67 at Royal Birkdale, offering a much-needed lift after a difficult 2026 season in which he missed the cut in three consecutive men's major championships for the first time in his career. The performance comes as the two-time major champion faces mounting criticism over his form and on-course strategy, with the result seen as an early sign that he may be turning his season around.

DeChambeau missed the cut at the 2026 Masters, the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, despite having won twice on LIV Golf earlier in the year. He has also faced public criticism from golf figures such as Nick Faldo over his approach to attacking courses, and has spoken openly about using AI to help fix his swing following struggles at a LIV Golf event in Korea.