Bryson DeChambeau experienced a disastrous end to day two at The Open Championship on Friday.
DeChambeau was in a great position after finishing his second round at Royal Birkdale, as he sat just one shot adrift of the leader, Lucas Herbert.
However, he was informed within minutes that he may have broken a rule during his round.
Was Bryson DeChambeau's penalty unfair?
He was penalised two shots following an incident on the fifth hole…
Bryson DeChambeau was visibly distraught as he emerged from The Open Championship scorer’s tent after being informed of the news.
Bryson DeChambeau was penalized at the Open on Friday for breaking a rule on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale.
The rule in question states that players must not, “move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object” in a way that would improve the area of their intended swing.
Many golf fans suggested that the penalty given to DeChambeau was incredibly harsh, while others believe that it was exactly what he deserved.
However, what cannot be denied is that the LIV Golf star handled the situation terribly in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Bryson DeChambeau must make one change after Open controversy
Friday evening at The Open was surreal in every sense.
After being informed that he was deemed to have broken Rule 8.1a, DeChambeau allegedly told R&A officials that he would not be playing over the weekend.
He then went to the range and began hitting balls long into the night. It was a really bizarre situation.
The 32-year-old from Dallas was laughing and joking with journalists as if nothing had happened, yet he still would not confirm whether or not he would be playing on Saturday.
The advice that DeChambeau received from his entourage clearly wasn’t great either and, as a result, he should seriously consider making changes to his backroom team.
The advice he has received recently has been farcical.
It has been claimed that DeChambeau’s agent told him not to speak to the media during the PGA Championship, but that led to more speculation about his future with LIV Golf.
And then after his two-stroke penalty was confirmed by the R&A at Royal Birkdale, the 32-year-old’s agent came out and made a statement.
Fried Egg Golf’s Director of Content Kevin Van Valkenburg relayed the American’s agent’s remarks, saying: “Bryson’s agent is saying Bryson is 100 percent serious that he is not sure he will play tomorrow. Plans to make the decision in the morning. “He’s a lot of things. He’s not a cheater.“
“Bryson’s agent says Bryson has until his tee time tomorrow to decide if he’s playing or not. He’ll make the decision alone, not his team. “He’s a big boy. He’ll see how he feels. But he certainly feels he was unfairly penalized.”
Is there a better example of DeChambeau being surrounded by ‘yes men’ than those comments right there?
Bryson DeChambeau must be held to account after childlike behavior
The two-stroke penalty was extremely harsh. However, the way he dealt with it after the fact was childish, petulant and extremely entitled.
Sure, his threat to pull out of The Open was made in the heat of the moment. However, there was no apology for his actions later in the evening.
DeChambeau needs people around him telling him some harsh truths. He has to be held to account by people who don’t have the sole purpose of pandering to his ego.
In the long run, the two-time US Open champion surrounding himself with people-pleasers will do him absolutely no good at all.
Bryson DeChambeau still has a chance of winning The Open. He has to use what happened on Friday to fuel the fire in his belly and come out fighting.
However, had he taken his punishment with any kind of integrity, he would surely have the entire golfing world right behind him right now.
It will be extremely interesting to see the reception that DeChambeau receives on the first tee at Royal Birkdale on Saturday and, indeed, throughout his round.
He could have made things so much easier for himself, and his backroom team certainly did not help him in that regard on Friday.
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