SOUTHPORT, MERSEYSIDE, ENGLAND – Bryson DeChambeau took a 2-stroke penalty at The Open Championship on Friday night after R&A officials deemed he had improved his swing path by trampling some tall grass near his ball on the short par-4n 5th hole.
Bryson was seen making his way into heavy, thick rough, and walking around and swinging his club. At the time, no one thought anything of it. However, upon closer inspection of the video, it appears he may have inadvertently improved his backswing.
From the R&A Press Conference this morning, with Grant Muir explaining everything:
“Bryson has been penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended backswing on the 5th hole when he was playing his second shot.
Ruling 1 restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke, and this includes the area of the player’s intended swing. 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.
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, what 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.”
He then ended the discussion with a perfunctory, “That’s all I have to say.”
Obviously the R&A feels bad about the situation, but rules are rules, and Bryson
DeChambeau was seen feverishly arguing his case with officials that any trampled grass did not improve his lie or swing path, but to no avail. Outkick Sports described his reaction as “flipping out.” Obviously disappointed, DeChambeau had authored a terrific round of 66, now a 68 which dropped him from sole possession of second place to a tie for fifth.
DeChambeau then went to the range, perhaps to blow off some steam. Huis agent, meeting with press members at the time alleged that Bryson was so mad, he might not tee off today, but as we go to press, he is still anticipated to play.
Bryson has made no public comment as of yet.
The solo leader, at 8-under, is Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who fired one of two major-championship record 62s. The other was by Sam Burns, who finished by holing out a sand shot on 18 for a third consecutive birdie to close out his round. Three Americans – Jackson Suber, Cameron Young, and Ryan Gerard – are tied for second, two strokes behind at 6-under.
Royal Birkdale is hosting its 11th Open Championship. It hosted its first in 1954, won by another Australian, Peter Thomson, who collected five Claret Jugs in 12 years.
