Bryson DeChambeau’s bid to win The Open has taken a hit after he was given a two-shot penalty on a dramatic evening at Royal Birkdale.
The American looked to have lifted himself to one shot off the lead on seven under par with a four-under 66 in round two, but was whisked away by rules officials when he walked off the course to discuss a rules infringement.
The American was accused of trampling on long grass close to his ball on the fifth hole.
After a long discussion with Open officials, it was confirmed he had been given a two-shot penalty for “inadvertently improving his lie”, pushing him back to five under par and three shots behind leader Lucas Herbert.
DeChambeau’s participation in the rest of the tournament remains in doubt after the two-time US Open champion, who has never won The Open, refused to confirm he would definitely play in Saturday’s third round.
He refused to answer questions when he walked past the assembled media after emerging from the recorders’ office, where he spent more than 20 minutes discussing the issue with officials including R&A chief executive Mark Darbon.
All he said was: “Are you guys having a great night? I’m having a great night.”
DeChambeau then added that he was off to “hit some balls” and headed off to the driving range, where he posed for a selfie with fans before talking to his team on the practice area.
How a dramatic evening unfolded
- 20:24 BST: DeChambeau birdies the 18th to move to seven under, one shot adrift of Australia’s Herbert
- Shortly after coming off the course, DeChambeau is driven off to the fifth hole by rules officials to discuss whether he trampled down grass near his ball.
- 20:58 BST: DeChambeau is involved in an animated discussion with the officials, close to where the incident occurred, and looked extremely frustrated.
- 21:15 BST: He arrives back on the buggy near the media centre, DeChambeau is asked if he is playing in round three on Saturday. He does not answer and simply smiles.
- 21:35 BST: DeChambeau emerges from the cabin and his two-shot penalty is confirmed.
What was DeChambeau deemed to have done wrong?
DeChambeau hit a wayward drive into deep rough on the fifth hole of his second round on Saturday.
His ball was found and videos surfaced of the 32-year-old American seemingly trampling down some knee-high rough behind his ball.
DeChambeau was later deemed to have not “played the course as it is found”, breaking Rule 8.1 which revolves around player’s actions that “improve conditions affecting the stroke”.
This includes the area of the player’s intended swing – which DeChambeau was found to have interfered with.
“Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of intended backswing on fifth hole,” said R&A rules official Grant Moir.
DP World Tour rules official Graeme Storm, who is working as a BBC Sport summariser for 5 Live radio at The Open, said: “He’s improved the line of play for his club to be able to hit the golf ball. That’s what they were investigating.
“Whether that’s intentional doesn’t really matter. If you improve your line of play you’re improving your lie so basically you get the general penalty of two shots.”
More to follow.
More to follow.
