Bryson DeChambeau’s opening round at The 152nd Open Championship got off to a rough start, leaving fans and analysts alike in shock. Held at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland, the challenging weather conditions added to the difficulties faced by many players on the first day of the tournament.

DeChambeau’s troubles began immediately, starting with a three-putt bogey on the 1st hole. Things only got worse from there. A wayward tee shot on the 3rd hole led to another bogey, and multiple shots from the fescue on the 4th further compounded his struggles. The par-5 6th hole proved especially troublesome when DeChambeau advanced his second shot just five yards out of the fescue and needed five swings to reach the green, resulting in a double bogey. A cross-wind on the short, par-3 8th pushed his ball wide of the target, adding yet another bogey to his scorecard.

By the time he finished the front nine, DeChambeau had tallied an opening score of 42, putting his chances of making it through the weekend in serious jeopardy. The harsh weather at Royal Troon, featuring brisk winds and rain, played directly opposite to the conditions players experienced during their preparation earlier in the week. The wind direction was especially tricky, as it had players facing it head-on during the front nine, a scenario that left DeChambeau struggling to keep pace.

Other players shared in DeChambeau’s misery. Justin Leonard, who opened the tournament, struggled throughout his round and ended with an 80. Todd Hamilton, another former Open champion, didn’t fare much better with an 82. However, not all players succumbed to the tough conditions. Alex Noren managed to card a two-under 69, leading the clubhouse early on despite describing his play as less than stellar. He noted the challenges posed by the wind but remained optimistic, stating, “It’s going to play tricky, but people are going to shoot under par, I think.”

The infamous links course at Royal Troon presented its own set of hazards, with thick fescue and gorse bushes readily punishing any errant shots. Younghan Song, an early leader, experienced this firsthand when he recorded a triple bogey after losing multiple shots in the gorse on the 11th hole, finishing with an even-par 71.

As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on whether DeChambeau can recover from his disastrous start. Known for his powerful long game, he admitted earlier in the week that overpowering the course wasn’t feasible—a notion that seemed prescient given his struggle against Troon’s relentless elements.

The Open Championship is always a test of skill and endurance, and this year’s competition at Royal Troon is proving to be no exception. Fans and followers will be eagerly watching to see how the world’s top golfers adapt and overcome as the tournament progresses.