Bryson DeChambeau threatens officials he’ll QUIT in wild Open meltdown before he’s punished in bizarre ‘cheat’ scandal

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU’S Open hopes took a hammering as he was handed a two shot penalty after finding himself at the centre of a furious rules rumpus. The flamboyant American was accused of improving his lie before hitting a shot from one of Royal Birkdale’s worst no-go areas. Bryson DeChambeau raged at officials after being accused of improving his lie Credit: Sky Sports DeChambeau appeared to give his ball a nudge before he was awarded a two-shot penalty Credit: Sky Sports Before he could sign his card for a second round 66 – which would have left him one shot behind 36 hole leader Lucas Herbert at seven under par – DeChambeau was presented with TV evidence, and taken in a buggy to the scene of the offence. It was an area of scrubland to the right of the fifth hole, transformed into a driveable par four at 321 yards, and the scene of plenty of drama. But not like this. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! He was shown an area with the grass trampled down behind where his tee shot had come to rest, and a heated argument broke out. DeChambeau, who thought he had salvaged a bogey five from that awful spot, had a face like thunder as he was brought back to the tournament office to determine whether he would accept the penalty shots. He eventually emerged from the meeting with rules officials still fuming, but refused to talk to reporters before heading to the driving range to vent his frustration. The scoreboards around the course quickly changed DeChambeau’s score from seven under par to five under, amending his second round effort to a 68. Open bosses later released a statement, saying: “Bryson has been penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing on the 5th hole when he was playing his second shot. “The rule applies even when there’s no intention to improve the area, as was the case with Bryson.” Most read in Sport WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS DeChambeau trudged inside to learn of his two-shot penalty Credit: Getty DeChambeau did eventually speak to reporters, saying: “Are you guys having a good night? I’m having a great night!” That episode totally overshadowed a remarkable round from Lucas Herbert, who stalled agonisingly just when he was on the brink of shooting the first ever 61 recorded at a Major. Herbert insisted he would not be haunted by blowing the chance to propel himself into golfing immortality. Nervy Herby missed an agonising 5ft final-hole putt on the final green, and the little-known Aussie made do with a record-equalling 62. Amazingly, that score was equalled 15 minutes later by American Sam Burns, who holed a bunker shot at the last to match Herbert’s eight under par round. Herbert, 30, said: “I can sleep easy tonight ­knowing I didn’t hit a bad putt, I just misread it. “You’re stood on 18 with a chance to write history and it feels so close. But I have no regrets.” Herbert, who is deaf in one ear and plays on golf’s rebel LIV tour, suffered his only bogey on the 18th, after rattling off nine birdies. Herbert and Burns both matched The Open record set by South African Branden Grace on this same course nine years ago. And the Aussie’s 28 for the front nine also equalled the Open best. DeChambeau was shown the footage after he threated to quit The Open Credit: Reuters Unbeatable golf travel deals GOLF fans can get to see the world’s best tournaments for less than you think. We have teamed up with some of the UK’s leading travel companies to come up with some unmissable trips. 🏆 The Open — See the world’s finest golfers at Royal Birkdale with ticket and hotel packages to suit every pocket— MORE INFO HERE ⛳ The Masters — Book a bucket-list trip to Augusta next year with 3-night packages to see Rory McIlroy — MORE INFO HERE ✈️ Plus check out these golf holidays to some of Europe’s finest courses — MORE INFO HERE * If you click on a link we will earn affiliate revenue. Comment now