Bryson DeChambeau penalized two shots at The Open, threatens to withdraw
Consensus Summary
Bryson DeChambeau faced a two-shot penalty at The Open after officials ruled he inadvertently improved his lie on the fifth hole during the second round at Royal Birkdale. The penalty dropped him from seven-under to five-under, moving him from second to tied-fifth place behind Lucas Herbert, who leads at eight-under. DeChambeau initially threatened to withdraw but later posted on X that he would continue, though his agent suggested he would decide on Saturday morning. The incident sparked controversy, with DeChambeau and his team arguing the ruling was unfair. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm received a warning for throwing a club. The drama reshuffled Saturday’s pairings, with Herbert now playing with Jackson Suber instead of DeChambeau.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Bryson DeChambeau was penalized two shots for 'inadvertently improving the area of intended back swing' on the fifth hole at The Open
- The penalty dropped DeChambeau from seven-under to five-under, moving him from second to tied-fifth place
- DeChambeau shot a 66 in the second round, finishing at seven-under before the penalty
- Lucas Herbert leads The Open at eight-under after the second round
- DeChambeau is a 32-year-old two-time US Open champion
- The incident occurred at Royal Birkdale during The Open's second round
- DeChambeau posted on X at 12:02am UK time: '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.'
- DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, stated: 'He’s a lot of things. He’s not a cheater.'
- Jon Rahm received an official warning for throwing a club after his tee shot on the 15th hole
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- DeChambeau refused to confirm he would play in the third round, saying only: 'Are you guys having a great night? I'm having a great night.'
- DeChambeau went to the range with his team as darkness gathered to 'hit some balls'
- DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, said his client would wait until the sun rises to decide whether to participate in another hole
- DeChambeau’s penalty pushed him to five-under, now three shots behind Herbert and tied-fifth behind Cameron Young, Ryan Gerard, and Jackson Suber
- Play is set to begin again from 6pm AEST on day three
- DeChambeau’s bogey on the 5th hole became a triple bogey seven after the penalty
- Herbert was supposed to be paired with DeChambeau on Saturday but will instead play with Jackson Suber at 3:50pm local time (12:50am AEST)
- DeChambeau is listed to tee off at 3:30pm (12:30am AEST) on Saturday
- DeChambeau has never won a British Open
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states DeChambeau was 'one shot off the lead' after his 66, while SMH says he was in 'outright second on seven-under' after the round
- ABC mentions DeChambeau was 'whisked away by rules officials after his round,' while SMH says he was approached 'after signing his card' on the 18th green
Source Articles
Golf champ reportedly threatens to leave The Open after penalty
US golf star Bryson DeChambeau is penalised two shots before reportedly threatening to not turn up for day three of The Open.
‘He’s not a cheater’: DeChambeau to continue playing at British Open as controversy erupts over two-shot penalty
American golf star Bryson DeChambeau exploded in anger after his second round at the British Open when penalised by officials for “improving the area” of an intended back swing.