Bryson DeChambeau has expressed frustration on social media after being hit with a two-shot penalty for a controversial rules breach at The Open, but has eased any fears he might quit the tournament. The American golfer was penalised under rule 8.1 after inadvertently improving his lie while standing in thick rough at the par-four fifth hole at Royal Birkdale.
Penalty Details and Immediate Impact
DeChambeau had looked poised to move within a shot of the halfway lead, backing up his opening-round 67 with a birdie-birdie finish to card a four-under 66. However, after being summoned to speak with rules officials, he was judged to have improved his lie during a wayward tee shot. The penalty turned what had been a bogey into a triple-bogey seven, dropping him from T2, just one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert, to T5 at six-under par alongside Sam Burns and Kim Si Woo.
DeChambeau's Response
Despite visible frustration during a heated exchange with officials, DeChambeau took to social media to address the incident. "Obviously disappointed with the ruling," he wrote on X. "I don't agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let's get it." The 32-year-old LIV Golf star had earlier ignored a reporter's question about whether he would play on Saturday, while his agent, Brett Falkoff, responded: "Let's see if he shows up late tomorrow afternoon, your guess is as good as mine."
R&A Statement and Rule Explanation
An official statement from the R&A confirmed the penalty. Referee Grant Moir explained: "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." Moir detailed that rule 8.1 restricts players from improving protected conditions affecting the stroke, including the area of the intended swing, and stressed that the rule applies even when the action is accidental.
"The area of the intended swing includes the entire area that might reasonably affect the backswing, the downswing or the completion of the swing for the intended stroke," Moir said. "Importantly, the prohibited action here is that the player mustn't move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object." He added that players are allowed to take reasonable actions to get to the ball and take a stance, but must take the least intrusive course of action.
Tournament Implications
The penalty significantly impacted DeChambeau's position, moving him from a tie for second to a tie for fifth. He now trails leader Lucas Herbert by several shots. Despite the setback, DeChambeau's social media post indicates he will continue competing in the tournament, putting an end to speculation about a potential withdrawal.
