DeChambeau threatens withdrawal after R&A imposes two-stroke penalty at The Open

Bryson DeChambeau has been issued a two-stroke penalty by the R&A during the second round of The Open at Royal Birkdale, a ruling that has prompted the American golfer to threaten withdrawal from the tournament. The penalty was applied on the fifth hole after officials determined that DeChambeau inadvertently improved his lie from the rough by trampling the fescue while preparing for his shot.

The decision has significantly altered the tournament’s trajectory, dropping DeChambeau from second place to tied fifth on the leaderboard. He now sits three shots behind tournament leader Lucas Herbert as the field heads into the weekend. Prior to the infraction, DeChambeau was one shot off the lead after 36 holes, making the penalty a substantial setback to his championship challenge.

R&A executive director of governance Grant Moir confirmed the penalty, citing Rule 1, which prohibits moving, bending, or breaking growing natural objects. Moir emphasised that the rule applies even when the action is accidental, stating that players must take the least intrusive course of action to deal with their situation and are not entitled to a normal stance or swing if it improves protected conditions.

DeChambeau engaged in a heated debate with rules officials after the day’s play concluded, reportedly insisting he did nothing wrong. While it remains unconfirmed whether he will officially withdraw, sources indicate his future intentions are unclear. The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions between players and the governing body regarding the interpretation of course conditions and player conduct.

Former professional golfer Brandel Chamblee publicly criticised DeChambeau’s conduct on the Golf Channel, describing the reaction as 'silly' and stating it is 'really hard to stomach'. Chamblee argued that DeChambeau should have accepted the infraction like a 'man', contrasting the situation with a similar incident involving Wyndham Clark at the US Open where no penalty was issued for flattening grass in the rough. Chamblee suggested that rules officials often give players the benefit of the doubt in grey areas, implying a double standard in enforcement.