Bryson DeChambeau penalty adds controversy to eventful British Open second round

Bryson DeChambeau penalty adds controversy to eventful British Open second round

Bryson DeChambeau’s ascent up the leaderboard at Royal Birkdale was halted Friday, July 17, 2026, by a two-stroke penalty that sparked a dramatic confrontation with officials and initial threats to withdraw from the tournament.

DeChambeau initially finished the second round with a 4-under 66, including a birdie on the 18th hole. This placed him at 7-under for the tournament, in outright second place and just one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert. However, after signing his card and entering the scoring tent, officials approached him regarding a potential rules violation on the fifth hole.

Following a review of television footage, R&A officials determined that DeChambeau had illegally improved his lie in the thick fescue grass on the right side of the fifth fairway. Officials alleged that while trying to reach his ball, DeChambeau stepped on and stomped the long grass, effectively tamping down the area for his intended backswing.

The aftermath unfolded as a piece of theater. DeChambeau was driven back to the fifth hole in a cart with Grant Moir, the R&A executive director of governance, to reenact the shot. This led to a heated, 10-minute exchange where DeChambeau waved his arms wildly and pleaded his case. During the confrontation, DeChambeau appeared to tell officials, I'm not gonna play tomorrow, before being driven back to the scoring trailer.

The penalty was eventually made official, transforming his bogey on the fifth hole into a triple-bogey 7. His round score was adjusted to a 2-under 68, moving him from second place to a tie for fifth at 5-under, three shots behind Herbert.

Grant Moir explained the ruling by citing the rules regarding protected conditions affecting a stroke.

"Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of intended back swing on fifth hole,"

Grant Moir, R&A executive director for governance, via reporters

Moir emphasized that a penalty is warranted if a player gains a potential advantage, regardless of intent. He noted that the rule prohibits moving, bending, or breaking any growing or attached natural object and that players must take the least intrusive course of action to reach their ball. Moir stated this applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson's case.

The ruling left DeChambeau visibly agitated. Upon leaving the scoring tent, he offered reporters a sarcastic, You guys having a good night? before heading to the practice range. He proceeded to hit balls in the darkness for approximately 30 minutes until 10:30 p.m. Local time.

Confusion persisted throughout Friday night regarding whether the 32-year-old would return. His agent, Brett Falkoff, initially told reporters that DeChambeau was angry and that the player would decide Saturday morning if he would continue. Falkoff defended his client, stating, He’s a lot of things. He’s not a cheater, and that DeChambeau felt he was unfairly penalised.

The uncertainty ended shortly after midnight UK time when DeChambeau posted on X: 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.

The controversy follows a difficult season for DeChambeau. After missing the cut in the first three majors of 2026—the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open—he failed to post a single round under par in those events. He also faced pre-tournament criticism from Nick Faldo, who claimed on a Sky Sports Golf podcast that DeChambeau had zero clue about links golf strategy. DeChambeau had countered these claims after his opening round, stating he had been incredibly strategic.

Outside of competition, DeChambeau has faced scrutiny over his focus on his YouTube channel and the stability of LIV Golf, which is reportedly losing funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund after the 2026 campaign.

DeChambeau remains in contention for his first Claret Jug. He is scheduled to tee off at 3:30 p.m. Local time for the third round, where he will play with Sam Burns in the third-to-last group.