DeChambeau bites back after horror start at Troon

TROON, Scotland : Bryson DeChambeau arrived at this week's British Open as one of the hottest players in the game but he was left somewhat dumbfounded after battling through Thursday's opening round at a windswept Royal Troon.

Last month's U.S. Open champion, DeChambeau bogeyed three of his first four holes amid rain squalls and ran up a double-bogey at the sixth on the way to a five-over 76 that could have been even worse.

The 30-year-old American's singular moment of joy came at the par-five 16th, where he struck a massive tee shot 358 yards, rifled an iron on to the green and coolly sank the eagle putt from 55 feet.

As loud applause echoed around the green, DeChambeau tipped his cap before pumping his fist in celebration after improving his round from an ugly seven over to five over.

After parring the final two holes and signing his card, DeChambeau told reporters he had struggled with his driver and three-wood but that he was delighted by the tenacity he had shown in challenging conditions.

"I'm just proud of the way I persevered today," he said. "Shoot, man, I could have thrown in the towel after nine (holes) and I could have been like, 'I'm going home'. It's a difficult test out here.

"But no, I've got a chance tomorrow. I'm excited for the challenge. If I have some putts go in and hit some shots the way I know how to and figure out this equipment stuff, I'll be good."

The long-hitting DeChambeau, who has earned the nickname "The Scientist" because of his love of the technical part of the game.

"In colder, firmer conditions, the golf ball is not compressing as much for me, s0 it's probably something along those lines," he said.

"I felt like I was swinging it somewhat okay today. The ball wasn't coming off in that window