In the end, Bryson DeChambeau took the Open Championship high road — or at least what’s left of it.
DeChambeau’s status for the final two rounds at Royal Birkdale was in legitimate jeopardy after he was issued a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie following the second round. There was speculation that he might withdraw, seemingly out of protest. However, not long after finishing a range session that went until 10:30 p.m. local time, DeChambeau confirmed in a statement he will play.
Bryson DeChambeau Makes Statement After Open Penalty
“Obviously disappointed with the ruling,” DeChambeau said on social media. “I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it.”
He also posted to Instagram with a simpler caption, as well as some content, naturally.
DeChambeau was 7-under for the tournament after finishing his round and would have been in the final round alongside leader Lucas Herbert. However, the two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the fifth hole means DeChambeau will now go off a couple of groups earlier at 3:30 p.m. local time.
DeChambeau was visibly annoyed and clearly unhappy upon learning about the penalty following his round. Cameras caught him saying he was not going to play the weekend after being handed the penalty. Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis reported DeChambeau would make a decision in the morning, and his agent confirmed to The Fried Egg (and other reporters) that he was unsure what that decision would be.
Ultimately, DeChambeau removed the drama by making an early decision at around midnight local time.
As for the infraction itself, The Open clarified that a penalty could be assessed, even if the action wasn’t intentional.
“An improvement means to alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke so that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke,” chief referee
“Now, I’ll stress that this applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson’s case.
“The area of intended swing includes the entire area that might reasonably affect any part of the backswing, the downswing or the completion of the swing for the intended stroke, and importantly, the prohibited action here is that the player mustn’t move, bend or break any growing or attached 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 condition affecting the stroke, but when doing so, the player must take the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation and is not entitled to a normal stance or swing.
“I would reiterate this rule applies even when there’s no intention to improve the area, as was the case with Bryson.”
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