(Update: Bryson DeChambeau was penalized two shots by the R&A. This story has been updated to reflect the news and to include video.)
Bryson DeChambeau ended his second round at The Open Championship one shot off the lead. But a last-second rules adjustment will see him farther back when Round 3 comes around.
The two-time U.S. Open champion shot a 4-under 66 in Friday’s Round 2 at Royal Birkdale, putting him at 7 under overall. The score was one stroke behind leader Lucas Herbert, but a two-stroke penalty was levied after DeChambeau was ruled to have affected his ball’s lie off the fifth fairway. The score was altered on the official leaderboard, dropping him to 5 under at The Open.
After more than 20 minutes with R&A officials in the tent, DeChambeau walked past reporters gathered outside and signed autographs. He told reporters he was “going to hit some balls” at the driving range.
What Open Championship officials said
Grant Moir, the chief governance officer of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, addressed the media after the penalty was assessed. He said DeChambeau was penalized for “improving the area of his intended his swing.”
Moir said the unintended improvement violated Rule 8.1, which restricts what a player can do to improve, or alter the conditions of the stroke, the intended area of the stroke, which includes the backswing and downswing.
The rule calls for the player to take the least-intrusive path to the ball in order to not violate this rule, which can be a violation, whether it was done accidentally or not.
What Bryson DeChambeau said
DeChambeau did not answer questions after he left the scorer’s tent, but did sign an autograph or two in his walk to the driving range. DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, told Todd Lewis of the Golf Channel that they believe the ruling is unfair. According to Lewis, Falkoff also said DeChambeau will make a decision on Saturday morning on whether he will continue to play in the tournament.
Bryson DeChambeau 5th hole controversy
After he finished the 18th hole along with Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton, DeChambeau was seen having an animated discussion with a rules official at The Open. According to the broadcast on USA Network, the debate was over how the LIV Golf star played his ball out of the fescue on the fifth hole.
That was the site of DeChambeau’s only bogey on the day. After taking a stroke penalty on an errant drive out of play, his second attempt went right of the fairway and into the thick, tall grass. The ball was located, and DeChambeau helped trample down the grass surrounding the ball to give him a path to swing.
But rules officials said there was a question over whether in stepping toward his ball, DeChambeau caused the ball to move and improve his lie. DeChambeau and rules officials drove out to No. 5 to look over the scene. The golfer, known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, was in a tense discussion for several minutes.
USA Network commentators brought up DeChambeau seemingly telling rules officials that he wasn’t going to play the third round if the penalty went through. USA Network said the decision is entirely up to the R&A.
The infraction is a two-stroke penalty, R&A rules official Charlie Maran said on USA Network. That dropped DeChambeau from the final pairing down to 5 under, tied for fifth with Sam Burns and Si Woo Kim.
Earlier in the day, fellow LIV Golf player Jon Rahm avoided a penalty despite throwing his 6-iron in the tee box on the 15th hole. A rule implemented this year calls for a two-stroke penalty for poor behavior. Rahm reportedly received a warning. He sits at 4 under through two rounds.
How to watch The Open 2026
Round 2 of the 2026 British Open broadcasts nationally on NBCSN starting at 1:30 a.m. July 17 before switching to USA Network at 4. Rounds 3 and 4 will start on USA at 5 a.m. July 18 and 4 a.m. July 19 before switching to NBC at 7 a.m. both days. Featured group and hole streaming is available on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s subscription streaming service, throughout the tournament.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Bryson DeChambeau assessed penalty at Open Championship, may withdraw
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
