Bryson DeChambeau eyes improvement after 'weird day' at the Open

The American had four bogeys and a double as he went out in 42 but he fought the instinct to write off his round and rattled off five successive pars to stem the bleeding.

He was able to limit the damage to one dropped shot at the 15th and immediately responded with a 54-foot eagle putt at the par-five next to close with a five-over 76.

"I'm just proud of the way I persevered today. Shoot, man, I could have thrown in the towel after nine and could have been like, I'm going home," he said.

"It's a difficult test out here. Something I'm not familiar with. I never grew up playing it and not to say that that's the reason; I finished eighth at St Andrews (two years ago). I can do it when it's warm and not windy.

"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."

DeChambeau is famed for his scientific approach to the game and said he had an issue with the way his clubs were performing in the wet and windy weather.

"I'm not at 190mph ball speed, so particularly when I'm hitting driver or three-wood, those clubs are built for around that speed.

"In 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 OK, just the ball wasn't coming off in that window that I normally see, so it was a weird day."