Bryson DeChambeau penalized 2 strokes at The Open for improving lie

Field Level Media|published: Fri 17th July, 16:52 2026

Jul 17, 2026; Southport, ENG; Bryson DeChambeau walks from the second tee during the second round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bryson DeChambeau was handed a two-stroke penalty following his second round at the Open Championship on Friday in Southport, England, after R&A rules officials determined he had taken actions to improve his lie on a shot on the fifth hole.

A popular but divisive figure in the world of golf, the member of LIV Golf originally posted a 4-under 66 to take second place at 7 under, one shot behind Australia's Lucas Herbert. Now, DeChambeau will enter the weekend three behind Herbert instead of one, his bogey 5 at the fifth hole changed to a triple-bogey 7.

DeChambeau hit his drive at the par-4 fifth hole far right and eventually found the ball in a native area. Replays showed the two-time major winner stamping down on different patches of tall grass near his ball. It may have affected not the lie of the ball, but the path for his eventual swing.

After news broke that officials were considering a two-stroke penalty, DeChambeau went back to the scene on the fifth hole with his caddie and two rules officials to discuss the sequence of events. U.S. TV cameras captured a discussion several minutes long, and at points DeChambeau could be seen gesticulating and getting animated.

More than an hour after his round ended, the R&A, who organize The Open, finalized their official decision, his new score being reflected on the leaderboard online.

Neither the R&A nor DeChambeau or his representatives had commented as of 4:35 p.m. ET.

--Field Level Media

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