Bryson DeChambeau threatens to quit British Open after two-shot penalty for improving conditions of a shot
Updated ,first published
South port: Controversy erupted at the British Open when American star Bryson DeChambeau continued his campaign on Friday after initially threatening to withdraw from the tournament after officials controversially made two shots.
DeChambeau was penalized two shots for “improving the field” of his intended backswing in the second round, prompting his manager to declare that his client had not cheated and was not trying to gain an unfair advantage during an incident that divided the golf world.
After shooting a four-under 66 on Friday, DeChambeau emerged from the 18th green at Royal Birkdale in second place at seven under, and Australia’s Lucas Herbert entered the weekend at eight under for a record 62.
But after signing his card, DeChambeau was approached by rules officials for an incident that had occurred on the fifth hole earlier in the day.
Playing his second shot hard, television footage showed DeChambeau wandering around the ball’s area before taking the shot; officials believed these moves improved the area for his bat to swing.
Although the ball itself never moves, golf rules prohibit players from developing the intended stance or swing area, even if the action is accidental.
A frustrated DeChambeau was escorted back to the fifth hole by officials, where he appealed to the tournament team and appeared to tell the decision-makers that he would not proceed with the championship. His manager was also present when the dramatic transformation was broadcast on live television.
A short time later, amid a crowd of television cameras and reporters, tournament rules official Grant Moir confirmed that DeChambeau had fired two shots. A triple bogey on the 5th hole would turn into a bogey seven.
The penalty dropped DeChambeau from seven under to five under, leaving him in a tie for fifth instead of second.
“Bryson was penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the intended putback area on the fifth hole,” Moir said.
“The first rule restricts what a player can do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the shot, and this includes the player’s intended hitting area.
“Improvement therefore means that by changing one or more of the conditions affecting the hit, the player gains a potential advantage for the hit. I will now emphasize that this is true even when the action is incidental, as in the Bryson case.”
When asked by reporters if he would return for Saturday’s third round, DeChambeau declined to offer any assurances. DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, said he would decide Saturday morning whether he would continue playing, but that his 32-year-old client was angry.
But at 12.02am UK time, DeChambeau wrote about
Earlier, after being notified of his suspension, DeChambeau headed to the practice field, where he began hitting balls as darkness fell over Royal Birkdale.
“He’s a lot of things. He’s not a hustler,” Falkoff said. “He’s a big kid… but he definitely feels like he’s been unfairly punished.”
A popular performer on tour, DeChambeau also created divisions among fans; He moved to LIV Golf in a lucrative deal worth more than $100 million (USD).
Herbert was supposed to be paired with DeChambeau on Saturday but the latest drama means he will instead play his third round against Jackson Suber at 3.50pm local time (12.50pm AEST).
DeChambeau, a two-time US Open champion, is scheduled to tee off at 15.30 (12.30). He has never won the British Open.
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Tom Decent is chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
