Love him or loathe him, Bryson DeChambeau was the talk of Royal Birkdale on Saturday after the furore that unfolded on Friday night, with the big American overshadowing some mighty golf on the course, including a ripper round from Ryan Fox.
It was a middling day for the Aussies, with Lucas Herbert conceding his lead on the third hole while his compatriots Adam Scott, Cam John and Min Woo Lee remained steady when big moves were needed to feature on Saturday.
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And while Rory McIlroy’s had a moment of magic on the field when chipping in for eagle on the 9th, it was the manner with which he chipped DeChambeau that left everyone stunned.
Here are the Talking Points from Day 3 of The British Open.
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LET’S TALK ABOUT BRYSON
Remember when Bryson DeChambeau whined about Rory McIlroy giving him the silent treatment when they were paired together at the Masters in 2025?
Just as the Northern Irishman picked his time to make a move in a dramatic final round, he was clearly saving his words for the right time when it came to assessing DeChambeau.
While McIlroy was wayward again on Saturday, he did miss the big-hitting American when offered the chance afterwards.
DeChambeau was a “performative” attention seeker who had “held the tournament hostage”. The way he behaved was “not a good look”. And as for defending the LIV Golfer? Don’t call McIlroy for a character reference.
“I’m not particularly fond of him,” McIlroy said.
But was that viewpoint shared by the peers of the 2014 British Open champion?
Not universally, but it was clear by late on Friday night around the Southport area that the patience of several golfers was waning as they awaited tee times. There was also suggestions others were held up unable to sign cards during the drama.
Justin Thomas and Marco Penge were among those to ask on social media late at night to highlight the fact that they were still unaware of when they might be teeing off, something attributed to whether DeChambeau was going to play or pull out.
As 2024 British Open champion Xander Schauffele said, it was unusual to be sitting up so late wondering what might happen.
“I don’t have social media, so I was wondering why our tee times weren’t coming out at about 10:50 p.m. last night. I’m assuming that had something to do with it,” he said.
Penge was clearly not happy about the situation and vented after shooting a 1-under 69.
“It was a bit of a joke really. I’m staying at home this week, which is an hour away, and not getting a tee time until 11pm is not great, really,” he said.
“We could have at least got a heads up for what time the first tee time was going to be. Obviously there was a lot of commotion, so that delayed things. What I presumed on social media, that Bryson was deciding whether he was going to play or not. I presume until they were told whether he was going to play, then we wouldn’t get the tee time until then.”
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts to a rules official on the 18th hole on day three of the The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 18, 2026 in Southport, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
DeChambeau, of course, did decide to play and he enjoyed strong support from the galleries during his one-under par third round of 69.
The American even played up the crowd on the final hole when his ball was in the rough and a rules official was nearby with exaggerated gestures that he was being careful with his feet, but also being crept up on.
“He loved being the showman today,” former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said on Live from The Open.
“We saw him playing with the crowd on the 18th. He loves it when the centre of attention is on him.
“I think he’s relishing in it and flourishing in that. Even though there’s been a bit of conjecture over it, it’s still the point is that he’s the centre of attention and he likes that position.”
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IS BRYSON A VICTIM OF DOUBLE STANDARDS?
The memes were flying thick and fast on social media as the drama unfolded, with footage of the 32-year-old arguing with rules officials in the wild pounced on by pundits and pranksters.
DeChambeau has courted a massive social media following and he is clearly a broadcasters dream given his profile and propensity for drawing attention – again, a nod to McIlroy there. But one colleague argued he paid a price for his fame.
Russell Henley was the first player to be called into press on Saturday and when quizzed about the American, as most players were, said that had he been the player stomping through the wild on Friday, he probably would not have been sanctioned.
“It’s unfortunate, but I think everybody should be held accountable for the same rules,” Henley said.
“The issue with that, to me, is the fact that he’s on TV every shot. If I played that hole yesterday, you might not have seen — and I did the same thing, maybe they don’t penalise me because maybe they don’t see me do it. That’s the tough part; he’s on TV every single shot.”
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the third day of the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)Source: AP
Penge was among those who felt that regardless of whether DeChambeau was being filmed, the rules are clear and he would hate to think he would every been seen doing something like that.
“Everyone has got their own opinion of the scenario. I remember day one, four times on the front nine I was in the semi-rough and I … didn’t ground the club or get anywhere near it because your club is slipping all over the place, so it’s so easy to make a mistake by accident,” he said.
“If I was in that position, I’d just be very careful where I’m standing and how I get into the ball and make sure I don’t improve my lie. Yeah, I would never want anyone to think I was doing that. That’s how I would deal with it.”
Herbert produces round of a lifetime | 05:14
HERBIE’S HERO
Lucas Herbert has no doubt overnight leader Sam Burns will play like a “man possessed” on Sunday as he bids to break his major drought after a near miss in the US Open but the Aussie does not need to look far for inspiration.
It is now four years since his Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith pulled off a magnificent triumph at St Andrews to win the 2022 British Open and there are clear similarities between their tournaments so far.
Similarly to Herbert, Smith took the lead into the weekend, only to stagnate on Saturday before his blade ran hot on Sunday on the way to a famous victory.
The Aussie, who made magnificent saves on the final two holes to finish at 7-under, is a shot closer than Smith was in his championship year but is hoping to follow a similar path to victory.
“We may have drawn comparisons on that walk there today, me and Pughie (his caddie),” Herbert said.
“I think he played two great rounds to start off the week (and) struggled on Saturday. I think he shot 64 on the Sunday to get it done. I’d like some crossovers there. That would worked out to be a nice little story to go with it. Wouldn’t it be a beauty?”
Lucas Herbert of Australia and his caddie Nick Pugh shake hands on the 18th green after completing his third round during the third day of the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)Source: AP
While Herbert was a little ragged off the tee in the last hour as he played the final four holes in 2-over, he took confidence in his ability to par the final two holes after wayward drives forced him to consult rules officials before incredible irons in.
“I think Sam Burns is going to be a man possessed given his results in majors and in not winning one,” Herbert said.
“I think he’s going to be very tough to beat and I’m not thrilled about giving him a three-shot head start. But we are where we are.
“I’d love to play my second best round of the week tomorrow (and) shoot under par and get myself in with a look. I’ve loved all the feelings this week, of being in contention and competing. Obviously yesterday shooting 62 and all the emotions that that brought … trying to finish that round off, I can only imagine it’s going to be similar if you’re in contention to win tomorrow.
“So I just want to kind of experience that because, you know, that’s stuff I grew up dreaming of doing and what I played the game for.”
FOX’S RECORD HUNT MAKES LIFE TOUGHER FOR HIS PEERS
Another issue of the DeChambeau saga is that it has overshadowed some tremendous golf.
By Friday night, the fact Lucas Herbert shaved the edge of the 18th hole when putting for history seemed like it had occurred a lifetime ago and on Saturday, even as Kiwi Ryan Fox charged up the leaderboard with a 62, it was a headline for an instant.
But as Xander Schauffele, the only man to record a 62 in majors twice, said on Saturday, there was a by-product to the low-scoring of Fox, Herbert and Sam Burns in that the course manager works even harder to protect its reputation.
“You definitely saw that they did not want another 62, looking at the pin sheet,” the American said.
“I don’t know where they’re going to put the pins tomorrow after Foxy’s 62, but they were on some slope for sure. His 62 is impressive for sure.”
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox (R) is congratulated by US golfer Xander Schauffele (L) after returning a record Open Championship low score equalling 62, on the 18th green on day three of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 18, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)Source: AFP
Aussie Cam John, who sits at 4-under in what has been an impressive major debut, said the positioning of the pins meant that he altered his strategy on some holes compared to the previous two days.
“It was definitely trickier. Every flag (it) felt like it was on the edge of the green,” he said.
“(I) probably got a little bit more aggressive off the tee a couple times to sort of play into that. If you kind of had the same game plan as the last couple days, you might have found yourself with longer irons, mid-irons into those tucked flags.
“You feel like you’re hitting it to 40 feet every day (but I) managed that well, (except for) a couple of holes.”
Schauffele, meanwhile, said he was extremely impressed with the performance of Fox, whose father Grant is an All Blacks legend.
“You’d take a 62 anywhere. If it’s in a major, it’s a cherry on top. But on a Saturday, it’s even better,” he said.
“He came out hot. He was hitting it close, making the putts he should make. (He) hit an incredible shot there on 18 out of
that bunker, took on risk when he had to (and) tried to stay aggressive.
“The wind was down when we were playing and it was kind of overcast, so I thought it was a little bit softer than before, and
he played amazing, and I was just trying to hop on whatever wave he was on to the best of my ability.”
Ryan Fox of New Zealand acknowledges the crowd on the fifth green on day three of the The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 18, 2026 in Southport, England. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley shed further light on Fox on Live from The Open.
“Ryan, first of all, is a very popular guy. He comes from great sporting stock,” the Irishman said.
“The All Blacks in rugby, they’re the gold standard all around the world. It’s not just that they’re so good, it’s the culture.
“Growing up in New Zealand, every kid wants to play for the All Blacks. It’s like coming into a culture of the highest standards of team performance.
“Little small things but when they go into a dressing room, you can imagine the mess those guys would make, when they leave that dressing room it is spotless. You could eat your dinner off the floor, it is that clean.”
“What I’m saying is the quality of what they do is so deep and ingrained in being from New Zealand,” McGinley added.
“So, when you see someone from New Zealand, sport is in their DNA and Foxy is certainly that way. He’s a very popular guy. I love the way he plays his golf. His swing is not perfect, but he owns it. He’s a winner too. He stands for everything that’s great about New Zealand and that comes from who the All Blacks are.”
McGinley’s fellow panellist Brandel Chamblee hailed Fox’s shot onto the green from the fairway bunker on 18 as one of the best he’s ever seen.
“If Ryan Fox goes on to win, that might go down as one of the single greatest shots in the history of major championships,” Chamblee said.
As for the man himself, Fox said his day could have been either better.
“Being picky, I’d want a couple of drives back today maybe, but outside of that, I feel like I didn’t really miss a shot,” he said.
“Had a couple of great shots down the stretch, putted really nicely. But it feels like, when you’re out in the morning, when the wind’s down around here, there’s almost some pressure on to shoot a score.
“It was nice, like Xander and I had a lot of fun out there today. Both made a bunch of birdies and kind of fed off each other.
“I would have taken 62 on a Saturday, that’s for sure.”
THE CLARET JUG IS NOT THE ONLY PRIZE ON OFFER
John, meanwhile, said he was pinching himself after what has been a dream debut to date, but the Victorian is keen to continue the good work after shooting a 1-under 69 to sit in a tie for 12th at 4-under.
The Claret Jug, clearly, is the main prize on offer and the Melburnian would love to get on a role if possible on Sunday and charge up the leaderboard. But the main prize aside, there is much for the Aussie rookie to play for.
The 27-year-old, who secured a start by finishing second in the Singapore Open earlier this year, has an opportunity to book a tee time at St Andrews next year should he manage to secure a spot in the Top 10 on Sunday.
Aside from becoming a father soon, with his wife Olivia 30 weeks pregnant, John said that trying to earn an exemption is something that has been on his mind since arriving at Royal Birkdale last week.
“Obviously I had big goals for the week, and I think that’s important,” he said.
“But at the same time … the process is pretty much go out there, execute, and hopefully it goes my way, and hopefully I can come back to St Andrews.
“It’s still 18 holes of golf and focus on trying to win the tournament and try to at least give myself a chance with nine holes to go.”
Cameron John of Australia on the first hole on day three of the The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 18, 2026 in Southport, England. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The task is tougher for Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee, who were unable to make any headway on Saturday.
Scott, a runner-up at the British Open in 2012, bogeyed two of the first three holes and had another three bogeys on the back nine, including the 18th. An eagle on the 17th was a rare highlight as he carded a 1-over 71 to finish at 1-under.
Lee, meanwhile, birdied the fifth hole after a steady start but bogeys on the 6th, 8th and 11th hindered his cause as he also carded a 71 to sit at 2-0ver.