An awestruck Bryson DeChambeau declared "there's no better place in the world" after playing his first practice round at St. Andrews ahead of The Open Championship.

DeChambeau lifted the U.S. Open trophy in 2020, the first major title of his career, but did not finish above 26th in the following four majors in the next year.

The American, blighted by injuries and an insistence on his big-hitting driver off the tee, then missed the cut at the 2022 Masters and finished tied for 56th at the U.S. Open.

DeChambeau missed the other major of the year, the PGA Championship, with injury and heads to Scotland with a point to prove after defecting to the controversial LIV Golf International Series.

The breakaway golfers have been banned from playing on the PGA Tour, but the R&A followed the U.S. Open's lead by allowing LIV Golf stars to play in the final major of the year.

DeChambeau is one of nine major champions to defect, along with Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charles Schwartzel.

While talk continues over the different golf tournaments, much of DeChambeau's focus was on the scenery surrounding the famous St. Andrews course after he had finished his practice round on Monday.

"It feels a little bit like California where I grew up, definitely had a warm welcome – the fans are awesome," he told Sky Sports.

"Personally, this is my first time around the course and man, it's a special place that's for sure, there's no doubt about that.

"I am very blessed to get around this golf course, my first time, I wish it had been a little earlier but look I'm excited to be here and there's no better place in the world – I love it."

DeChambeau has made a name for himself with his long-distance hitting and aggressive approach to any hole, yet he appreciates he may have to tone it down with severe winds.

"It's tricky, the wind flipped and went from one direction and did a complete 180, so I need to get comfortable with that and make sure we have our numbers dialled in to play well this week," he added.

As for using his driver at any opportunity, DeChambeau responded: "Yeah, not all the time, though, I didn't need it to reach all the greens. But it'll definitely be out again this week."