DeChambeau handed two-shot penalty at Open; McIlroy backs ruling

Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-shot penalty on Friday evening at the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after officials determined he inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing on the fifth hole during the second round.

DeChambeau finished his round believing he had shot a 4-under 66, moving him to 7-under par and into solo second place, one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert. However, shortly after completing his round, R&A rules officials informed him of a potential rules violation. Video footage showed DeChambeau stepping through tall fescue grass to the right of the fairway to reach his ball, which lay 72 yards from the hole. Officials determined that by trampling the grass, DeChambeau had inadvertently improved the area of his intended backswing in violation of Rule 8.1a.

After more than an hour of discussion—including an animated on-course exchange where DeChambeau recreated the shot and pleaded his case—the R&A confirmed the penalty. His bogey 5 on the hole was changed to a triple-bogey 7, converting his 66 into a 68 and dropping him from solo second to a tie for fifth place, three shots behind Herbert. R&A executive director of governance Grant Moir stated the ruling applied "even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson's case," and that players must take "the least intrusive course of action" when taking their stance.

DeChambeau's initial response suggested he might withdraw from the tournament in protest, but shortly after midnight he posted on social media confirming he would play Saturday's third round: "Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don't agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let's get it."

The ruling has divided the field and generated significant debate. Rory McIlroy, speaking after his third round on Saturday, strongly backed the penalty. McIlroy said he watched the incident live in the players' lounge and recalled other golfers' immediate reaction: "As soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other, and we were like, 'That didn't seem right.'" He emphasized the penalty was justified regardless of intent: "Whether it was careless or whether it was intentional, I don't think it matters." McIlroy also criticized DeChambeau's conduct, calling aspects of his response "performative" and stating the incident held the tournament "hostage" by delaying tee time announcements for Saturday.

Not all players agreed. Open leader Sam Burns, who was paired with DeChambeau in the third round, expressed sympathy for the American, saying he "didn't feel like maybe there was enough evidence for him to deserve a penalty." Max Homa also defended DeChambeau, stating he would "never cheat the game of golf." World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who played with DeChambeau when the incident occurred, indicated he had opinions on the matter but declined to share them publicly.