Bryson DeChambeau reacts to remarkable Open comeback: "I wanted to go home"

Bryson DeChambeau says his late father inspired a 13-shot improvement at The Open. 

DeChambeau looked as though he would be making a swift exit after 36 holes at the final men's major of the year at Royal Portrush. 

The two-time major champion, 31, carded a disastrous seven-over 78 on Thursday. 

But he moved a remarkable 96 places up the leaderboard in round two with an exhilarating 65. 

DeChambeau, whose opening round also included an air shot, looked like a man transformed as he hit seven birdies and found 17 out of 18 greens in regulation.  

He told reporters he wanted to go home after his first round, but he woke up this morning ready to fight. 

"I said, you know what, I can't give up," DeChambeau explained. "My dad always told me never to give up, just got to keep going and that's all what I did today."

DeChambeau's father Jon passed away in November 2022 at the age of 63. 

Jon was diagnosed with Diabetes in the 1990s and suffered a kidney failure in 2014. 

DeChambeau dedicated his 2024 US Open victory at Pinehurst No.2 to his dad. 

"I was proud of the way I fought back, really persevered through some emotionally difficult moments, and to hold myself together and not get pissed and slam clubs and throw things and all that like I wanted to, like I was very proud of myself," DeChambeau added. 

DeChambeau said it was difficult not to let the frustration get to him. 

"I want to be a good role model for kids," he added. "And I struggled with that in the early part of my career. 

"I want to be different now. That's the reason I do it."

"You've got to win over here"

DeChambeau does not boast a very good record in The Open. 

Through seven appearances, the YouTube star has missed three cuts and recorded only one top 10 finish. 

That arrived at the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022. 

DeChambeau told reporters at the beginning of the week he has struggled with the volatility of links golf. 

"In order to be a complete golfer, you've got to win over here," he said. 

"That's something I've struggled to do. I've played well at times when it's dry and greens are more consistent in their bounce and the greens are a little bit better. 

"But when it gets as chaotic as this, with the wind going every which way, flipping on 18 completely, when you're preparing all day for that left-to-right wind off 18, you have to be a complete golfer that pivots on demand."

Follow GolfMagic for live text updates of The Open, along with all the latest news, opinion and analysis.