Bryson DeChambeau was dealt a devastating blow after his second round on Friday at The Open Championship.
DeChambeau posted a second-round 66 to finish up at seven-under par through two rounds at The Open, just one stroke adrift of the leader.
However, disaster struck for the American after he walked off the 18th green at Royal Birkdale.
Was Bryson DeChambeau's penalty unfair?
He was penalised two shots following an incident on the fifth hole…
Bryson DeChambeau was deemed to have improved his lie in the rough on the fifth during day two at The Open.
DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty as a result of his inadvertent actions on the fifth hole at Birkdale on Friday.
R&A release official statement as Bryson DeChambeau is handed a two-stroke penalty at The Open
DeChambeau was devastated as he left the scorer’s tent.
He was handed a two-stroke penalty and dropped back to five-under par from seven-under.
And now R&A rules official Grant Moir has released an official statement regarding the incident.
“Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intending backswing on the fifth hole where he was playing his second shot,“ he said.
“Basically I am going to explain the technicalities of the rule here. It restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke. This includes the area of the player’s intending swing.
“An improvement means to improve one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke. So the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke.
“I would stress this applies even when the action was accidental, as it was in Bryson’s case.
“The area includes any area which might reasonably affect any part of the backswing, downswing or completion of the swing for the intended stroke.
“Importantly what the prohibited action here is, the player must not move, bend or break any growing 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 in doing so the player must take the least intrusive course of action.
“I will reiterate this rule applies even when there is no intention to improve the area as was the case with Bryson.“
What Bryson DeChambeau’s agent said about two-stroke penalty
Golf Digest writer Joel Beall took to his X account to provide an update on what the R&A told DeChambeau.
“Bryson’s agent spoke to a few of us,“ Beall said.
“Said the R&A felt Bryson wasn’t careful enough with where he stepped and that he improved his swing path. When asked if he’s playing tomorrow agent replied that, ‘we’ll see if Bryson shows up’.“
Meanwhile, Kevin Van Valkenburg shared some interesting news as well.
He said: “Bryson walked by after 30 mins in scoring, asked the reporters “Are you guys having a good night?” A couple people said sure, but are you? “I’m having a great night. I’m gonna hit some golf balls.” Didn’t answer if he’s playing tomorrow but he’s now hitting balls on the range.
“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.
“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.”
It is still unclear as to whether Bryson DeChambeau will even tee it up at The Open on Saturday.
Surely he should use this as fuel to go on and win the claret jug. If he does withdraw, it would be a real shame for him and the fans who are set to attend at Royal Birkdale.
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