The Open: Bryson DeChambeau handed two-shot penalty after controversial ruling in second round at Royal Birkdale | golf news

Bryson DeChambeau has been sensationally handed a two-shot penalty after being involved in a controversial rules violation during his second round at The Open.

DeChambeau appeared to be within a shot of the halfway lead after an opening-round 67 with a birdie-birdie finish of 4-under 66 at Royal Birkdale, only to be called to speak to rules officials after the conclusion of his round.

The two-time major champion was deemed to have inadvertently improved his lie while standing in thick grass on the par-four fifth, hitting a wayward tee shot, with DeChambeau returning to the area with rules officials to review the incident.

Remarkable footage shows DeChambeau passionately pleading his innocence in a heated exchange, only to be penalized under Rule of Golf 8.1 and his bogey on that hole turned into a triple-bogey seven.

In a statement, R&A referee Grant Moir said: “Bryson was penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving his intended backswing on the fifth hole while playing his second shot.

“Rule 8.1 limits what a player can do to improve any protected condition that affects the stroke, and that includes the area of ​​the player’s intended swing.

“So an improvement means changing one or more conditions affecting the stroke so that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke. I would emphasize that this applies when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson’s case.”

That leaves DeChambeau at two-under 68 and seven-under to five-under and three strokes behind Lucas Herbert, who now leads by two shots and was one of two players to equal the lowest round in men’s major history with a second-round 62.

It took more than 70 minutes for DeChambeau to confirm the decision from the 18th, with the American then spending time on the range before declining media interviews for the sixth consecutive major round.

Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, who spoke with DeChambeau’s agent, said: “The other interesting thing coming from (Brett) Falkoff is that DeChambeau, even though he’s hitting the ball on the range right now, is still undecided if he’s going to continue this championship.

“He will decide tomorrow morning whether he will come to compete in round three.”

Players and pundits are divided over rules plays

Paul McGinley, speaking on the Golf Channel: “I think it’s a violation. The first five seconds when he got to the ball, that’s when the violation happened. He went up, saw his lie and the first thing he did was stand behind the ball.

“Standing behind the ball, he lay down on the grass behind it, which was going to improve his backswing. To me, that’s a clear violation. Bryson obviously disagreed with that, very stubbornly. That’s stamping the grass behind the ball.

“Your line of play isn’t just toward your target. It’s your backswing, too. He’s standing right where his club should be going back.”

Dame Laura Davies: “Bryson obviously fought his corner, but based on what they saw on camera and the evidence they saw there, they decided it was a two-shot penalty.

“He’s got three backs instead of one back – that’s it. You can’t go any higher than that – that’s why the camera with the rules is so important. Hopefully the right decision is made.”

Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley: “DeChambeau will definitely be hurt tomorrow and I think people on this property will be rooting for him. We all looked at it thinking it could go one way or the other.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s very well explained by the R&A.”

Drama, confusion and history – memorable Fridays at Birkdale

Sky Sports’ Ali Stafford at Royal Birkdale:

“Friday’s action should have marked the first time in Open history that two players carded rounds of 62 on the same day, but was overshadowed by a remarkable finish in the second round.

“Lucas Herbert’s par-bogey finish saw him miss out on a men’s major maiden 61, while Sam Barnes’ three-birdie finish – including a hole-out from the last bunker – saw both join the major ’62 club’ within half an hour of each other.

“Although Herbert now has a two-shot lead over where he initially appeared, those two record-equalling rounds were quickly usurped by Bryson DeChambeau’s two-shot penalty late in the day.

“Opinions were divided and varied during the chaotic 70-odd minutes from the moment DeChambeau left, with brief suggestions that he did not want to continue in the tournament.

“DeChambeau didn’t answer the question so we still don’t know how he feels, but the way he defended himself to the rules officials was pure cinema. He answered Sir Nick Faldo’s critics about the technique, but now he’ll want to make another statement by answering it the right way.”

When is the Open live on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with wall-to-wall action from the final major of the year over the weekend on Sky Sports Golf.

‘Saturday at the Open’ will start coverage of the third round from 9am on Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports+ and The Sky Sports app Ahead of full coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 11am.

Featured groups will also be available on Sky Sports+ The Sky Sports appThen on Sky Sports Golf from 8am on Sunday with coverage for Sunday’s final round.

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