The Open: Rory McIlroy claims Bryson DeChambeau ‘holds tournament hostage’ due to ‘performative’ rule play delays | golf news

Rory McIlroy has issued a scathing attack on Bryson DeChambeau for his ‘effective’ behavior and ‘holding the tournament hostage’ during his rule-breaking at The Open.

DeChambeau carded a four-under 66 at Royal Birkdale on Friday evening looking to move within a shot of the halfway lead, only to become embroiled in a lengthy rules dispute with R&A officials.

The two-time major champion elected to improve the line of his swing on the long grass at the par-four fifth. A two-shot penalty and a half dropped him three strokes behind leader Lucas Herbert.

DeChambeau returned to the course to contest his decision and continued to defend his case in the recorder’s area, with the decision not confirmed for nearly 80 minutes after walking onto the 18th green.

“Late night for everybody,” McIlroy said. “I’m not going to come here and pretend to defend Bryson. I don’t particularly like him. I think a lot of it is performative. I think a lot of it is for attention.

“To hold the tournament hostage like that, and all of us, the players, the volunteers, all waiting for him to leave, I didn’t think it was a great look.”

Tee times for Saturday’s third round were not released until around 11am due to a delay, labeled a ‘joke’ by Marco Penge and questioned by Justin Thomas on social media, with DeChambeau heading to the range post-round before declining an interview.

DeChambeau said on social media he was ‘disappointed’ and ‘didn’t agree’ with the verdict, which dropped him to a tie-five, although McIlroy insisted R&A officials had made the right decision.

“I was watching it live,” McIlroy added. “I was watching it with a few other players in the players’ lounge, and as soon as he stepped into the ball we all looked at each other and said, ‘It doesn’t look right.’

“Then when I heard that he got called by the rules officials, it was pretty obvious why. I think there’s no doubt that he’s improved the line of his backswing.

“Whether it was careless or intentional, I don’t think it matters.

Grant Moir, executive director of governance at The R&A, explained on Friday evening that the penalty under Rule 8.1 of the Rules of Golf applies “even when the action was accidental, as it was in Bryson’s case.”

When asked if he thought DeChambeau’s actions were intentional, McIlroy said: “I don’t remember him — but it didn’t look good.

“It’s tough. Every shot is on camera. There’s a lot of people playing this week and the shots aren’t on camera. So you can say it’s unfair or whatever, or it could happen more than that.

“It’s obviously impossible to police everyone, and that’s why it’s mostly a self-policing game.

“I think when there’s clear evidence like last night, obviously it’s a different story.”

Barnes backs DeChambeau as other players make their judgments

DeChambeau’s penalty drew mixed reactions from other players when they were questioned after finishing the third round.

the leader Sam Barnes Played with DeChambeau on Saturday and supported his fellow American.

“I honestly feel bad for Bryson in the situation he was in,” she said. “I didn’t think there was enough evidence to convict him.

“He played an unbelievable round of golf late yesterday, and it’s unfortunate to have something where they come in after your round and tell you you’re being docked two shots.

“But props to him. He came out and played a really nice round of golf today, and it takes a lot to do that and be able to do that. So I was impressed.”

Max Homa Another American thought that DeChambeau had done the hard work.

“I only saw one angle, and in my opinion I disagree with the verdict,” he said. “All I know is I’ve known Bryson for a long time, and he’s an interesting man at times, but I know he would never cheat on golf.”

Shane LowryHowever, felt the punishment was deserved.

“I think he’s improved his lie, and that’s the rule of golf. It was interesting to watch last night. None of us expected it. It’s unfortunate for him, but it happens,” said the Irishman.

John Rahm Added: “For those who have seen all the footage, I think the consensus is that, even though it wasn’t intentional, it was a violation. That’s what I understand, but I haven’t seen it.”

the english Marco Penge was furiously dissatisfied with the delay in announcing the time of Saturday’s tee.

“It was really a joke,” he said. “I’m staying at home this week, which is an hour away, and don’t get a tee time until 11 p.m. We could at least have a head start on when the first tee time is going to be. There was obviously a lot of commotion, so things got delayed.”

World number one Scotty SchefflerIn the meantime, prefer to keep his advice for now.

“I was playing with him yesterday. I don’t really have a ton to say. Actually, I have a ton to say. I haven’t decided what I want to say publicly yet,” he said.

“I have some thoughts. I don’t really think this is the time or place for me to comment. We’re in the middle of a tournament, and I’m focused on what I have to do. I have to go out tomorrow and shoot a low round. I’m not really going to stretch it too much.”

McIlroy says ‘what many players have in mind!’

Sky Sports’ rich tree: “I think that Rory is never afraid to speak his mind, he’s afraid to tell you what he thinks. He’s got an opinion about it. I was actually surprised that the players came out and defended him.

“They didn’t think there was anything wrong with the way he hit the golf ball. I thought it was pretty amazing to be fair, but Rory basically said what a lot of players have in mind – it didn’t look right.

“The two-stroke penalty was warranted.”

Sir Nick Faldo of Sky Sports: “Forget who’s standing there, it’s another golfer. You’re walking through the process and you’re looking at a huge clump of grass standing about two feet around his right leg.

“You look at the size of it, when he put his left foot on it, it changed. It dropped a good six or so inches. He proved it in his practice swing, going back and forth probably too much. His practice swing probably touched the original position of that grass.

“R&A handled it perfectly. Keep it realistic, and it was definitely in the way of his club, shaft and everything. It doesn’t matter if it was intentional or if you have no idea about the rule book; it happened. It all happened literally in front of us. It’s two shots, get on with it.”

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.

‘Sunday at the Open’ will start coverage of the final round from 8am on Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports+ and The Sky Sports app Ahead of full coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 10am. Featured groups will also be available on Sky Sports+ The Sky Sports app.