DeChambeau hits back at 'no strategy' claim | Faldo: I rattled his cage!

Bryson DeChambeau has hit back at claims he has "zero clue of strategy" by making an impressive start to The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.

DeChambeau, who is looking to avoid the 'Bryson Slam' of missing all four major cuts in a calendar year, charged into contention after mixing five birdies with two bogeys in an opening-round 67.

The two-time US Open champion was heavily criticised by Sir Nick Faldo on this week's Sky Sports Golf podcast, where the six-time major winner questioned DeChambeau's aggressive play and strategy for links golf.

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DeChambeau declined all TV and skipped speaking to the written press after his round, as he has done during missed cuts at the PGA Championship and US Open, although he gave a brief interview to the R&A to reflect on a positive round.

"It was a hard-fought battle out there as the wind was switching quite a bit," DeChambeau said. "It was fun just seeing the ups and downs of the group [him, Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton]. We all played pretty well, so it was a lot of fun.

"There's some just driving holes out there that I've got to work on, but other than that I iron played really well and made some good putts. I three-putted once, but that's life.

"I think you've got to be a lot more strategic out on the golf course. 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.

"Besides 18 [closing bogey], I placed the ball in some good areas, but just needed to hit more fairways. Other than that, I felt like my strategy was nice today.

"Any time you get off to a great start, it's awesome, but there's three more days. There's still a lot of golf to be played but ultimately, from my perspective, I was really excited about the way I played."

An opening 67 is DeChambeau's best start to The Open in nine appearances, having been a combined 20 over in the first round of his last five major starts, with Faldo believing the American may have noticed his pre-tournament comments.

"I think I rattled his cage!" Faldo said on Sky Sports after his round. "He's basically stuck you know what up and said: 'Faldo, I do have strategy'.

"I'm taking claim that I switched [him] on the strategy play. You have got to have that around here."

DeChambeau was three under after 10 holes and cancelled out a bogey at the par-five 14th by posting back-to-back birdies from the 16th, briefly putting him tied for the lead, only for him to drop a shot at the par-four last.

"It [DeChambeau playing well] shouldn't surprise anyone," Hatton said. "He's an amazing player.

"He flights the ball great. His ball flight today was really good - he didn't really hit many bad shots. He's an amazing player and it shouldn't really surprise anyone that he's doing well."

When is The Open live on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with wall-to-wall action from the final men's major of the year continue on Friday at 6.30am on Sky Sports Golf.

Featured Groups will be available on Sky Sports+ or the Sky Sports App, along with a player focus feed, with extended coverage of The Open then starting at 9am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday on Sky Sports Golf.