DeChambeau handed dramatic penalty in controversial Open ruling

Friday 17 July 2026 21:55, UK Image: Bryson DeChambeau has been handed a two-stroke penalty Bryson DeChambeau has been sensationally handed a two-shot penalty after being involved in a controversial rules breach during his second round at The Open. DeChambeau appeared to have moved within a shot of the halfway lead after following an opening-round 67 with a birdie-birdie finish to his four-under 66 at Royal Birkdale, only to be called to speak to rules officials after the conclusion of his round. The two-time champion was adjudged to have improved his lie when stood in thick grass at the par-four fifth, having hit a wayward tee shot, with DeChambeau returning to the area with rules officials to review the incident. The Open: Latest leaderboard and scoresRecap: The Open - second round as it happenedWhen is The Open on Sky? Key TV timesGet Sky Sports or stream golf with no contractExtraordinary footage saw DeChambeau passionately plead his innocence in a heated exchange, only to be penalised under rule 8.1 of the rules of golf and see his bogey on that hole become a triple-bogey seven.In a statement, R&A Referee Grant Moir said: "Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended backswing on the fifth hole when he was playing his second shot." It drops DeChambeau to a two-under 68 and from seven under to five under and three strokes behind Lucas Herbert, who was one of two players to equal the lowest round in men's major history with second-round 62s. Latest Golf Stories The Open: England's golfers face dilemma over World Cup semi-final ahead of bids for elusive major win at Royal Birkdale The Open: Rory McIlroy struggles in first round as Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler chase shock leader Jackson Suber The Open: Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler involved in bizarre exchanges about future legacy ahead of Royal Birkdale The Open: Sir Nick Faldo says Bryson DeChambeau has 'zero clue of strategy' as American looks to end missed cut streak The Open 2026 tee times: Rory McIlroy given late start to opening round at Royal Birkdale as R1 groupings revealed The Open 2026 storylines to follow: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Bryson DeChambeau and more More to follow... Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland