Bryson DeChambeau walked off Royal Birkdale’s 18th green on Friday believing he had earned a place in Saturday’s final group. More than an hour later, that place was gone.
Birdies on his final two holes appeared to complete a four-under 66. That round would have moved him to seven under, alone in second and only one shot behind Open Championship leader Lucas Herbert.
Tournament officials then assessed a two-stroke penalty under Rule 8.1. They ruled that DeChambeau had inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing while preparing to play from thick grass on the fifth hole.
Officials changed his bogey five to a triple-bogey seven and dropped his round to a two-under 68. His tournament score fell to five under. Instead of joining Herbert in the final group, DeChambeau entered the weekend tied for fifth and three shots behind the lead.
The Ruling
The incident began after DeChambeau drove far right on the short par-four fifth. His ball disappeared into thick native grass, prompting him to hit a provisional from the tee.
Officials eventually found the original ball. Before playing it, DeChambeau stepped around the area and moved his club through the grass near his intended backswing. He then sent his second shot over the green, chipped onto the putting surface and needed two putts for bogey.
The hole appeared settled until officials reviewed footage after the round. They decided that his movements had pressed down enough grass to improve the space available for his swing.
DeChambeau disputed that interpretation. At his request, officials returned with him to the fifth hole so he could demonstrate the swing he believed he had attempted. Grant Moir and the rules team reviewed the area but upheld the penalty. DeChambeau responded, “I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend.”
Why No Disqualification
The possible violation came to DeChambeau’s attention in the scoring area before he had signed and returned his card. Officials resolved the issue, added the penalty and recorded the corrected 68.
That sequence prevented an incorrect-scorecard problem. Golf’s rules also allow a committee to add a penalty without disqualifying a player when the player did not know about the breach before returning the card.
The scorecard question was therefore straightforward. The real argument concerned what DeChambeau had done in the grass.
Rule 8.1 requires a player to accept the conditions affecting the next stroke. Players may take reasonable action to reach the ball and form a stance. They cannot press down or move natural material enough to create a potential advantage.
Officials believed DeChambeau had improved his intended swing area. Moir said the action appeared accidental, but intent did not remove the penalty. The rule focuses on whether the conditions improved, not whether the player meant to improve them.
Withdrawal Talk
DeChambeau’s frustration continued after the ruling. His agent, Brett Falkoff, told reporters that the golfer felt unfairly penalized and had not immediately committed to playing Round Three.
The possibility of withdrawal was serious. Television footage also appeared to capture DeChambeau telling officials that he might not return the following day.
His next move suggested otherwise. DeChambeau went to the driving range and continued hitting balls as darkness settled over Royal Birkdale. He later confirmed that he would play the weekend.
That decision kept a legitimate championship bid alive. DeChambeau had missed the cut in the first three majors of 2026, but his Friday round showed that his game could handle Birkdale.
His finish offered the clearest evidence. He made birdies on both closing holes and walked off believing he had moved within one shot of the lead. The ruling changed the number on his card, but not the quality of the swings that produced the original score.
The Weekend Chase
On paper, the penalty cost DeChambeau two strokes. In reality, it cost him control of the tournament.
He lost the final group and the chance to measure his round directly against Herbert. DeChambeau must now create pressure from an earlier tee time, post a number and wait for the leaders to respond.
That position demands patience. Royal Birkdale’s thick grass can turn an ambitious recovery into another dropped shot. When a drive misses badly, DeChambeau may need to take a wedge, play sideways and return the ball to the fairway instead of forcing a long club toward the green.
His power will continue to create scoring chances. The challenge is deciding when aggression helps and when it threatens the entire round.
DeChambeau begins the weekend three shots behind with 36 holes remaining. The penalty removed him from the final group, but it did not remove him from the championship.
Now he must separate his anger over the ruling from the golf he needs to play.
READ ALSO: Lucas Herbert Misses Historic 61 as DeChambeau Takes Costly Penalty
FAQs
Why was Bryson DeChambeau given a two-stroke penalty?
Officials ruled that he improved the area of his intended backswing in thick grass on the fifth hole, which violated Rule 8.1.
Why was Bryson DeChambeau not disqualified?
Officials addressed the possible breach before he signed and returned his card. Golf rules also allow committees to add certain unknown penalties without disqualification.
What score did DeChambeau record in Round Two?
The penalty changed his second-round score from 66 to 68. He entered the weekend at five under, three shots behind Lucas Herbert.
Did Bryson DeChambeau withdraw from The Open?
No. DeChambeau confirmed that he would play the weekend after initially expressing anger over the ruling.
Can DeChambeau still win The Open?
Yes. He began the weekend three shots back with 36 holes remaining, leaving him firmly in contention.
Tracking stats and settling debates. If there is a scoreboard, I am watching it.
