Bryson DeChambeau says he wanted to go home after his disappointing first round at The Open Championship, but is proud of how he turned things around.
The Open Championship: Bryson DeChambeau 'Wanted To Go Home' After First Round Disappointment But Didn't Give Up
DeChambeau has historically struggled at The Open, managing just one top-10 finish in his previous seven appearances at the tournament, while missing the cut in three of those, including last year
The American looked set to miss the cut at a second consecutive major after shooting a seven-over 78 on Thursday, but he produced a stunning turnaround on Friday as he bettered his score by 13 strokes.
A six-under 65 in the second round takes DeChambeau to one-over at the halfway stage, and though he remains nine shots behind clubhouse leader Brian Harmer, who is eight-under after two rounds, he looks set to play the rest of the weekend.
DeChambeau has historically struggled at The Open, managing just one top-10 finish in his previous seven appearances at the tournament, while missing the cut in three of those, including last year.
Asked what his thoughts were after Thursday's round, DeChambeau said: "I want to go home.
"But I woke up this morning and I said, you know what, I can't give up. My dad always told me never to give up, just got to keep going, and that's what I did.
"I was proud of the way I fought back, really persevered through some emotionally difficult moments, and to hold myself together and not get p***** and slam clubs and throw things and all that like I wanted to, like I was very proud of myself.
"As much as I did want to leave, I didn't want to. When I got here, I was like, I want to play the weekend.
"That was kind of an appreciation [from the crowd], I think, clap for working hard and getting back to where I was, so I thanked them for that."
Meanwhile, Robert MacIntyre kept himself in contention with a five-under 66 on Friday and sits just three shots back from Harman.
He posted a level-par round on Thursday, while only DeChambeau and Harman posted better scores than his in the second round among the players who finished the round.
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MacIntyre came close to glory at the U.S. Open last month, and he believes he has got himself in a good position to challenge at the top once more.
"There's potential. It could be anyone's time," he said.
"I feel happy, confident, comfortable. I'm going to go out and give it my best shot all the way through to Sunday afternoon. I'm not scared. I'm not going to back away.
"Hopefully, come the 69th, 70th hole, I've got a chance. And if I've got a chance, I'm going to roll the dice."
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