Bryson proud of fightback

At one stage on Thursday night, even on Friday morning, it looked for all the world as if Bryson deChambeau's visit to Portrush might be a short one.

A below par opening round, albeit heavily over par, saw him way off the pace after a testing first day on the Dunluce Links.

But, after a good sleep and plenty of reflection, the popular American produced one of the rounds on Friday to secure his place for the weekend.

Even though it did puzzle him somewhat.

"I've played the same as I did yesterday," he told reporters after his second round.

"That's links golf for you. I executed pretty much the same shots as I did yesterday and I didn't feel like I played any different. Today they just kind of went more my way.

"My wedges were just a fraction better and that was really it. Made a couple more putts and I just really felt like I was rolling it well today. There wasn't much different. That's why links golf is the way links golf is."

So, what did he tell himself overnight on Thursday?

"I want to go home," was his honest answer.

"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 today.

"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.

"It was great to get that type of ovation coming down because I didn't want to leave. 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, I think, clap for working hard and getting back to where I was, so I thanked them for that."