Bryson DeChambeau threatens to quit British Open after two-shot penalty for improving conditions of a shot
South port: Controversy broke out at the British Open when American star Bryson DeChambeau threatened to withdraw from the tournament after receiving a two-shot penalty for “improving the field” of his intended backstroke.
After carding a 66-under 66 on Friday, DeChambeau walked from the 18th green at Royal Birkdale in solid second place behind Australian Lucas Herbert at seven-under. who shot a record-equalling 62 about to go to eight-under action this weekend.
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. There was an allegation that the ball crushed the grass behind it.
Although the ball itself never moves, golf rules prohibit players from developing the intended stance or swing range.
A visibly 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.
A short time later, amid a rush of television cameras and waiting reporters, R&A rules official Grant Moir confirmed that DeChambeau had fired two shots.
The penalty dropped him from seven under to five under, leaving him in a tie for fifth instead of second.
“Bryson was penalized with two strokes for inadvertently improving the intended putback area on the fifth hole,” Moir told reporters.
“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.
Instead he headed to the training ground, where he began hitting balls as darkness fell over Royal Birkdale. DeChambeau’s agent told reporters he would decide Saturday morning whether he would continue playing.
More to come
Tom Decent is chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
