Bryson DeChambeau Bombs 400+ Yard Drive At Open Championship

The American's tee shot at the 18th hole measured a colossal 405 yards and was the longest tee shot on Thursday by 15 yards

Bryson DeChambeau watches his tee shot after striking a driver
(Image credit: Getty Images)

As we know, Bryson DeChambeau is regarded as one of the longest hitters in the professional game, with the American previously claiming a runner-up finish at the 2022 Long Drive World Championship.

Featuring at his seventh Open Championship, it hadn't been the best of days for DeChambeau, who carded a six-over-par front nine of 42, before battling back for a one-under back nine. Within that 34 included an eagle, but the highlight came at the 18th, as the 30-year-old produced a 405-yard drive!

On Thursday, conditions at Royal Troon were tough at best, with multiple big names, such as Rory McIlroy, over-par for their rounds. The reason for this? Well, this was due to the wind playing in a different direction to what the players had experienced during the practice rounds.

Because of the change in wind, it meant that the front nine played more into, whilst the back nine was more down. Consequently, at the 452-yard hole, DeChambeau was able to let rip and move the ball a colossal 405 yards.

Leaving himself just 42 yards to the flag, DeChambeau's pitch shot somehow gripped and span, leaving him with a 30-foot putt which, in the end, he was unable to convert, as a closing par gave him a five-over 76.

To begin his Thursday, DeChambeau carded a bogey at his opening hole, as bogeys at the third and fourth meant he was three-over-par for his round. Needing a response, the front nine didn't improve for the two-time Major winner, as a double bogey at the par 5 sixth, and a bogey at the par 3 eighth, put him six over for his day.

Having started his back nine with five pars, DeChambeau bogeyed the par 4 15th, with an eagle at the 16th putting him five-over on Thursday, which is where he stayed as he signed for a 76 to sit around, currently, 100th place.

Speaking to the media after his round, DeChambeau stated: "I'm going to go figure it out. It's something equipment related. The golf ball is -- look, I'm not at 190 ball speed, so particularly when I'm hitting driver or 3-wood, those clubs are built for around that speed, that 190 ball speed, and my 3-wood around 180, so colder, firmer conditions the golf ball is not compressing as much. So it's probably something along those lines. But felt like I was swinging it somewhat okay, just the ball wasn't coming off in that window that I normally see, so it was a weird day".

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x