Bryson DeChambeau has voiced his frustration on social media after being hit with a two-shot penalty for a rules breach at The Open, but he has dismissed any suggestions that he might quit the tournament. The American golfer was penalised under Rule 8.1 for inadvertently improving his lie while standing in thick rough on the par-four fifth hole at Royal Birkdale.
DeChambeau's Social Media Response
In a post on X, DeChambeau wrote: "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 statement came after a heated exchange with rules officials, during which DeChambeau pleaded his innocence.
Details of the Penalty
The incident occurred during the second round of The Open. DeChambeau had carded a four-under 66, finishing with consecutive birdies, which initially moved him within one shot of the halfway lead. However, the penalty turned what had been a bogey into a triple-bogey seven, dropping him from tied second to tied fifth at six-under par, alongside Sam Burns and Kim Si Woo.
Referee Grant Moir explained the ruling in an official statement from the R&A: "Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his swing, so his intended backswing, on the fifth hole when he was playing his second shot. Rule 8.1 restricts what the player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke. This includes the area of the player's intended swing. An improvement means to alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke, so that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke. This applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson's case."
Agent's Comments Raise Doubts
DeChambeau's agent, Brett Falkoff, was asked whether the star would continue playing and responded: "Let's see if he shows up late tomorrow afternoon, your guess is as good as mine." This comment had sparked speculation about a potential withdrawal, but DeChambeau's social media post appears to have put those fears to rest.
Impact on the Leaderboard
The penalty dropped DeChambeau from a tie for second, just one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert, to a tie for fifth. He now sits at six-under par, three shots off the lead. The American had opened with a 67 and was looking to build momentum before the controversial ruling.
