Bryson DeChambeau admits LIV Golf progress has been too slow ahead of The Open

Bryson DeChambeau admitted ahead of The Open that LIV Golf are behind where they expected to be. 

DeChambeau is among the favourites to lift the Claret Jug on Sunday evening. 

The American, 31, is one of 19 players from the PIF-backed league that will tee it up Royal Portrush this week.

Naturally, one burning question ahead of the final men's major of the year was what DeChambeau made of LIV's recent decision to resubmit an application to be recognised by the sport's global rankings body. 

The OWGR confirmed they received LIV's application on 30 June and their chairman, former Masters winner Trevor Immelman, has promised a fair review. 

But we still have no idea what, if any, changes have been proposed that would change the OWGR's mind. 

When LIV Golf's initial bid was rejected in October 2023, it was made clear to the rival league the main issues centred around a lack of meritocracy given players were exempt from relegation no matter their performance. 

Smaller fields and 54-hole events could be dealt with by a mathematical solution, former chairman Peter Dawson said, although he conceded it may not be perfect. 

So what changes have been proposed? And how does DeChambeau view where LIV are at now compared to its noisy launch in 2022?

"That's a great question and one I don't know," DeChambeau said. 

Although he did outline three changes that could help LIV's cause. 

The relegation and promotion system needs to be addressed, DeChambeau said, and an association to a global tour could help their cause. 

Phil Mickelson recently floated the idea that their model could mimic a traditional tour with fields of 120 players. 

The six-time major champion declared LIV Golf tournaments could then be the elevated events within their schedule. 

"Going through the right process is important, and I think Scott [O'Neil, LIV CEO] and all of us are looking forward to going through that process and getting it done the right way," DeChambeau added. "We're excited for that."

As for where LIV are now compared to their noisy introduction to the men's game three years ago, DeChambeau admitted things are taking longer than they initially thought. 

He said: "Where do I think LIV is currently? It's moving in the right direction. We're commercialising. We've got some good partners aboard with us now. Is it taking longer than we would have thought? Yeah, but we're okay with that.

"I think Scott's okay with that, and H.E. [Yasir Al-Rumayyan], I'm not going to speak for him, but I think he is too. We'll see where it goes.

"We're excited to see with the new [PGA Tour] commissioner coming in and Scott and them being friends, I think there's something that can get done in a good way for the game of golf. I'm really excited for the future of the game. There's a lot of positive movement going on currently."

DeChambeau is playing the first two rounds of the 153rd Open alongside Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre.