The story of Friday at The Open Championship was Bryson DeChambeau.
Firstly, it was about his play. He shot a second round 66 to move within one shot of the lead at Royal Birkdale heading into the weekend. It looked like he’d silenced his doubters after missing the other three major cuts this season.
But controversy quickly descended upon DeChambeau. After his round, he was assessed a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie in the rough on the fifth hole. He didn’t take it well.
DeChambeau threatened to withdraw from the tournament when talking to rules officials, as he argued his case for what seemed like an eternity.
The two-time US Open winner turned this into a soap opera, and when you look back at Shane Lowry’s actions from last year, he’s been put to shame.
Shane Lowry’s actions after receiving a penalty at The Open puts Bryson DeChambeau to shame
Last year at The Open, it was Lowry who faced a rules controversy, but he handled it with infinitely more grace and class than DeChambeau did.
At Royal Portrush, the R&A judged that the Irishman caused his ball to move during a practice swing on the 12th hole during his second round.
This was an incredibly contentious decision, far more so than DeChambeau’s. On the slow-motion replays, it’s still hard to see whether the ball actually moved or not.
But unlike DeChambeau, Lowry said he didn’t want to damage his reputation by arguing with the rules official. Speaking afterward, he said, “If the ball moved, and I caused it to move, then it’s a two-shot penalty.
Was Bryson DeChambeau's penalty unfair?
He was penalised two shots following an incident on the fifth hole…
“The last thing I want to do is sit there and argue and not take the penalty and get slaughtered on social media tonight for being a cheat. I’m not that.
“I’m disappointed they didn’t have more camera angles to be honest. The one, zoomed in slow motion. They’re trying to tell me if it doesn’t move from the naked eye, if you don’t see it moving, it didn’t move.
“I told them I was definitely looking down towards the ball when I took my practice swing, and I didn’t see it move. But I had to take the penalty. I’m still not sure, to be honest, whether it was or not, but I had to take the penalty because I can’t have my name talked about or tossed around like that.
“I’ll get on with it. Obviously, it’s very disappointing.”
This was pure class from Lowry, and we can appreciate it even more now that DeChambeau has shown us all how not to behave. Golf is a sport built on integrity, so arguing with the officials and threatening to withdraw is unbecoming of a two-time major champion.
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