Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-shot penalty following the second round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, a decision that significantly impacted his standing in the tournament. The American golfer had initially appeared to position himself just one shot off the lead after a strong second round, but the penalty pushed him back by two strokes.
The incident occurred on the fifth hole, a par-4, where DeChambeau drove his ball into deep rough. Videos later emerged showing the golfer seemingly trampling down knee-high rough behind his ball. Rules officials engaged in a discussion with DeChambeau after he completed his round, ultimately concluding that he had inadvertently improved his lie.
Penalty and its implications
The penalty was confirmed after a lengthy discussion with Open officials, including R&A chief executive Mark Darbon. Grant Moir, the R&A’s executive director of governance, stated that DeChambeau was penalised for “inadvertently improving the area of intended backswing on fifth hole.” Moir emphasised that this rule applies even if the action is accidental.
The ruling changed DeChambeau’s score on the fifth hole from a bogey to a triple bogey, altering his second-round score from a four-under 66 to a 68. This adjustment placed him at five-under for the tournament, three shots behind the leader, Lucas Herbert, and tied with Sam Burns and Si Woo Kim.
DeChambeau expressed his disappointment with the decision 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.” His agent, Brett Falkoff, indicated that DeChambeau would assess his condition before deciding whether to play in the next round.
The unfolding drama
The dramatic evening began when DeChambeau birdied the 18th hole, moving him to seven-under and one shot behind Herbert. Shortly after leaving the course, he was taken by rules officials to the fifth hole to discuss the potential infringement. An animated discussion ensued, with DeChambeau appearing frustrated during the interaction, which lasted approximately 15 minutes.
Upon returning to the media centre area, DeChambeau did not answer questions from journalists regarding his participation in the third round. He then spent more than 20 minutes in the recorders’ office with officials before the two-shot penalty was officially confirmed. After emerging, he proceeded to the driving range, where he continued to practise until almost 22:30 BST.
The rule broken, Rule 8.1, concerns players’ actions that “improve conditions affecting the stroke,” including the area of the player’s intended swing. Graeme Storm, a DP World Tour rules official, explained that improving the line of play, whether intentional or not, results in a general penalty of two shots.
DeChambeau’s approach and past performances
DeChambeau is known for his unconventional approach to golf, from using single-length clubs to his physical conditioning. His methods have often polarised opinion within the sport. Despite the post-round controversy, his performance on the course during the second round was notable, particularly given the increasing afternoon winds at Royal Birkdale.
Earlier in the week, three-time Open champion Nick Faldo had publicly questioned DeChambeau’s strategic capabilities on links courses. Faldo suggested that DeChambeau lacked a clear strategy, believing he often relies on power rather than nuanced play. This perception was reinforced by DeChambeau’s previous performances, including missed cuts at the Masters, US PGA Championship, and US Open earlier in the year.
However, Andrew Murray, a former European Tour winner, observed DeChambeau’s play during the second round and was impressed by his patience and sensible approach, noting his strong short game. DeChambeau’s initial round of 67 also saw him discuss his “strategy” with Open organisers, though he declined to speak to the media at that time. The penalty decision has significantly altered the tournament’s landscape for DeChambeau as he heads into the weekend.
Source: bbc.co.uk