DeChambeau’s Penalty at Royal Birkdale
Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-shot penalty during the second round of The Open at Royal Birkdale, a decision with which he expressed disagreement. The American golfer had initially appeared to be one shot off the lead, reaching seven under par after a four-under 66 in the second round. However, rules officials intervened after he left the course to discuss a potential rules infringement.
The penalty stemmed from an incident on the fifth hole, where DeChambeau was accused of trampling on long grass near his ball. Following an extended discussion with Open officials, it was confirmed that he had inadvertently improved his lie, leading to the two-shot penalty. This adjustment moved him back to five under par, placing him three shots behind leader Lucas Herbert.
DeChambeau later posted on social media, stating, “Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it.” He had previously declined to answer questions from the media after spending over 20 minutes in the recorders’ office discussing the issue with officials, including R&A chief executive Mark Darbon.
The incident on the fifth hole involved DeChambeau’s wayward drive landing in deep rough. Videos reportedly showed the 32-year-old seemingly trampling down knee-high rough behind his ball. Officials determined that he had not “played the course as it is found,” violating Rule 8.1, which pertains to actions that “improve conditions affecting the stroke.” This rule includes the area of a player’s intended swing, which DeChambeau was found to have interfered with.
Grant Moir, the R&A’s executive director of governance, confirmed that DeChambeau was penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended backswing on the fifth hole. Moir stressed that this rule applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in DeChambeau’s case. He further added that the player must not move, bend, or break any natural object, quoting from the rule book.
Graeme Storm, a DP World Tour rules official, commented on the situation, explaining that improving the line of play for the club to hit the golf ball, whether intentional or not, constitutes improving the lie and incurs a general penalty of two shots. The penalty meant DeChambeau’s round was adjusted from a 66 to a 68, causing him to drop from second place to a share of fifth.
Dramatic Evening Unfolds
The evening unfolded with considerable drama. At 20:24 BST, DeChambeau birdied the 18th hole, moving to seven under par and one shot behind Herbert. Shortly after leaving the course, he was driven back to the fifth hole by rules officials to discuss the alleged grass trampling. By 20:58 BST, DeChambeau was observed in an animated and visibly frustrated discussion with officials near the incident site.
He returned to the media centre area by buggy at 21:15 BST but did not answer questions about playing in the third round, simply smiling. The confirmation of his two-shot penalty came at 21:35 BST after he emerged from the cabin. The situation was described as pure drama, with seasoned golf reporters noting the unusual nature of the post-round events at an Open Championship.
On the course earlier, DeChambeau had navigated increasing afternoon winds effectively, putting himself in contention. This performance came despite earlier comments from three-time Open champion Nick Faldo, who suggested DeChambeau lacked strategic understanding for links courses. DeChambeau’s golf on Friday was seen by some as a response to such criticisms.
Former European Tour winner Andrew Murray, who followed DeChambeau’s round, praised his patience and sensible approach, particularly his short game, noting its “linksy” quality. Murray believed DeChambeau possessed the game to win at Royal Birkdale. Despite the controversy, DeChambeau proceeded to the driving range after the ruling, hitting balls until almost 22:30 BST.
The official leaderboard was updated to reflect the penalty, showing DeChambeau at five-under-par and in a tie for fifth place. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm received a warning for throwing his club in frustration during his second round, carding a 67 to sit four shots off the lead. Rahm avoided a penalty and ended the day one shot behind DeChambeau.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
