DeChambeau penalised at 2026 Open Championship

Bryson DeChambeau was issued a two-stroke penalty during the second round of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after officials determined he had improved his lie by trampling grass on the fifth hole. The ruling, enforced by the R&A, significantly altered the tournament’s trajectory, dropping DeChambeau from solo second place to a tie for fifth on the leaderboard.

The infraction occurred as DeChambeau navigated thick grass alongside the fifth fairway. After completing his round at seven under par, one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert, he was summoned by officials to review the incident. DeChambeau engaged in a prolonged, silent dispute with R&A representatives outside the range of microphones but within camera view, a confrontation that lasted approximately 10 minutes.

During the exchange, DeChambeau appeared to indicate he would not play the following day, though the R&A confirmed the penalty regardless of his intent. The decision moved him three shots off the lead, effectively ending his immediate challenge for the title while simultaneously placing him in a position to contest the top spots in the coming rounds.

Following the ruling, DeChambeau declined to speak to reporters and returned to the clubhouse. He spent the evening on the driving range, where he was observed hitting balls and distributing snacks to nearby media personnel. The incident has dominated the narrative of the championship, with DeChambeau’s actions drawing intense scrutiny regarding the application of rules and the conduct of officials.

It remains unconfirmed whether DeChambeau will withdraw from the tournament. While he has suggested he might not continue, sources note his future intentions are unclear. The penalty has been described as debatable in some accounts, highlighting ongoing tensions between players and the governing body over the interpretation of course conditions and player conduct.