Bryson DeChambeau was handed a two-shot penalty at the Open on Friday, after he was alleged to have improved his lie by treading on deep grass around his ball.
As joint-leaders Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both shot record rounds of 62, becoming just the sixth and seventh men in history to do so at a major, DeChambeau’s evening brought far less to celebrate.
The American had just finished his round with back-to-back birdies for a score of 66, one behind Herbert at the time, but after the round, he was driven to the fifth hole by officials.
There, DeChambeau had earlier struck the ball into high grass to the right of the hole, and officials believed he had accidentally affected his lie by treading around on the grass and figuring out his best approach.
DeChambeau, 32, was visibly aggravated by his conversation with the officials, and he was later brought into the recorders hut at Royal Birkdale, where some time was spent – presumably – in further debate.
When he emerged, the golfer said to nearby media, “Are you guys having a great night? I’m having a great night,” per the BBC.
He would not comment on whether he would play on Saturday, which he would have been forbidden from doing, had he refused his penalty.
“I’m off to hit some balls,” he added, before visiting the driving range.
Later, rules official Grant Moir said, “Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of intended backswing on fifth hole,” an action that violated rule 8.1.
Earlier, the BBC had reported a comment from DP World Tour rules referee Graeme Storm, who said: “He’s improved the line of play for his club to be able to hit the golf ball. That’s what they’re investigating.
“Whether that’s intentional doesn't really matter. If you improve your line of play, you’re improving your lie, so basically you get the general penalty of two shots.
“From what video evidence I’ve seen, it looked like he’s improved his line of play by stepping back on the long grass behind his line of play, because he’s looked down at it. He should get the general penalty, which is two shots.”
DeChambeau’s penalty leaves the two-time US Open champion on 5-under-par overall, three behind leaders Herbert and Burns.
Also on Friday, Jon Rahm escaped with just a warning after throwing his club in frustration. He carded 67 to sit four shots off the lead.
"I didn’t think about it until I saw [the official] on 17, and when he was walking up to me, I knew exactly what it was for,” Rahm said, “but I didn’t think about it in the moment.
“I shouldn’t have reacted that way, but I did. I mean, you guys are acting like it’s every single hole. I get it; I had a moment.
“I’m definitely more intense and passionate than a lot of the players out here, especially at work, but I wasn’t thinking about it. It’s not like I’m going to... If I try to alter who I am too much, it might cost me a little bit on the course.
“But certainly shouldn’t have moments like the one on 15; I get it.”
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