Bryson DeChambeau’s hopes of profitable The Open suffered a serious blow after the American was handed a two-shot penalty following his second spherical at Royal Birkdale.
The 2-time main champion appeared to have moved to inside one shot of chief Lucas Herbert after carding a four-under-par 66, however was referred to as apart by guidelines officers instantly after leaving the course to debate a possible guidelines breach.
Following a prolonged evaluate, DeChambeau was penalised for “inadvertently bettering his lie” on the fifth gap, dropping him from seven below par to 5 below and leaving him three photographs behind Herbert heading into the weekend.
The 32-year-old was investigated after tv footage appeared to indicate him trampling lengthy grass behind his ball within the tough earlier than taking part in his shot.
After spending greater than 20 minutes with officers, together with R&A chief govt Mark Darbon, DeChambeau declined to debate the ruling or affirm whether or not he would proceed within the match.
DeChambeau fumes at determination
When requested by reporters, he merely replied: “Are you guys having an ideal night time? I’m having an ideal night time.”
He then headed to the driving vary, the place he greeted followers and continued practising along with his crew.
The incident unfolded after DeChambeau birdied the 18th to finish his spherical earlier than being pushed again to the fifth gap with guidelines officers to evaluate the scenario.
He was later discovered to have breached Rule 8.1, which covers actions that enhance the situations affecting a participant’s stroke.
R&A guidelines official Grant Moir confirmed: “Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently bettering the world of supposed backswing on the fifth gap.”
The penalty leaves DeChambeau with important floor to make up if he’s to say a primary Open Championship title.
