There was drama at Royal Birkdale on Friday night as Bryson DeChambeau was involved in a heated exchange with officials back at the fifth hole
Bryson DeChambeau is driven by a rules offical on a buggy to the recorders area(Image: (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images))
Bryson DeChambeau has been given a two-shot penalty for inadvertently improving his lie by trampling down rough on the fifth hole. The incident occurred during the American’s second-round at Royal Birkdale on Friday and resulted in him having a heated exchange with officials. DeChambeau shot a 66, which had catapulted him into second place. But following the conclusion of his second round, officials placed him under investigation. And the outcome of that investigation, which arrived just before 10pm, was a two-shot penalty for the American. R&A Referee Grant Moir confirmed in a statement: “Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended backswing on the fifth hole when he was playing his second shot.
“I will explain the technicalities of the rule here for you. Ruling one restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke, and this includes the area of the player’s intended swing.
“So, an improvement means to alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke. So that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke. With stress, this applies even when the action was accidental in Bryson’s case.
“The area of intended swing includes the entire area that might reasonably affect any part of the backswing, the downswing or the completion of the swing for the intended stroke.
“What the prohibited action here is that any player must not move bend or break any growing or attached or natural object.
“A player is allowed to fairly take their stance by taking reasonable actions to get to the ball and take a stance if, in some situations, that improves the conditions affecting the stroke. But when doing so the player must take the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation, and is not entitled to a normal stance or swing.
“I would reiterate, this rule applies even when there is no intention, as was the case with Bryson.”
As a result of the penalty, DeChambeau drops from second – one shot off the lead – to a tie for fifth – three shots off the lead.
His second-round score of 66 has changed to 68, meaning he is now five-under-par for the tournament.
When leaving the recorders’ hut, DeChambeau headed past the assembled media and asked: “Are you guys having a great night? I’m having a great night.”
He then refused to answer if he’s playing tomorrow, before saying: “I’m off to hit some balls,” and headed for the range.
His agent Brett Falkoff was asked whether his client would play tomorrow, to which he replied: “Let’s see if he shows up late tomorrow afternoon, your guess is as good as mine.”The American had went back to the fifth after his round concluded and had a heated discussion with the rules officials as he attempted to show them how had played the shot.
On the incident in question, Sky Sports Golf’s Dame Laura Davies said: “The one thing I will say is that when he does that big step, his eyes never leave the ball.
“It’s not like he is looking at a bit of grass he wants to stamp down. You look at his eyes. I don’t think he should be done.”
Before she later added: “They are questioning his integrity. He said he didn’t do it. Whatever he thinks, I think he will play tomorrow even if he says he will not. Where is he supposed to put his feet?”
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