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Bryson DeChambeau flips out on rules officials before being assessed two-stroke penalty at Open Championship
By Ryan Morik
Published July 17, 2026
Bryson DeChambeau went into the Royal Birkdale clubhouse in a tie for second place at the Open Championship, hardly in a position to complain.
However, rules officials then approached him about a potential transgression earlier on the fifth hole, and the two-time U.S. Open winner was not having it.
DeChambeau was with several officials and his caddie, having an animated conversation in the rough on the fifth hole, right near the area where DeChambeau took his second shot.
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Bryson DeChambeau of the United States speaks with a rules official after day two of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, on July 17, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
After finding his ball in hip-high fescue, DeChambeau appeared to be walking through the weeds, stomping on the rough behind him and causing it to lie flat for his swing out of the rough. The conversation, apparently, was about whether DeChambeau improved his lie for the shot.
During the conversation, DeChambeau loudly pleaded his case, mimicking his pre-shot routine and waving his hands. In the clubhouse, DeChambeau reportedly argued that the trampled fescue was not directly in line with his swing.
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States rides in a buggy with a rules official after the second round of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, on July 17, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
However, the officials weren't buying it, and DeChambeau was given a two-stroke penalty. He then promptly went to the range, perhaps to work off some frustration.
His agent told reporters at the range, though, that he was actually considering not teeing off on Saturday.
DeChambeau initially shot a four-under 66 on Friday, but after it became a 70, he was in a tie for fifth at 5 under.
Bryson DeChambeau stands on the 18th green during the second round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 17, 2026. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
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The solo leader is Lucas Herbert, whose 62 on Friday tied the lowest score ever recorded in a major round.
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https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/bryson-dechambeau-flips-rules-officials-assessed-two-stroke-penalty-open-championship