DeChambeau Sparks Open Backlash After 2-Stroke Penalty as Peers Question His Conduct
Updated
Updated · Golfweek · Jul 18
DeChambeau Sparks Open Backlash After 2-Stroke Penalty as Peers Question His Conduct
3 articles · Updated · Golfweek · Jul 18
Summary
Two strokes and a late-night confrontation at Royal Birkdale turned Bryson DeChambeau’s rules breach into a wider backlash over his behavior, with the fallout extending beyond the ruling itself.
R&A officials judged that DeChambeau improved the line of his backswing and imposed the penalty, a call Rory McIlroy said was clearly justified even if the act was merely careless.
10:50 p.m. local tee-time delays followed as officials weighed whether DeChambeau would carry out a threat to skip the third round, while he argued, avoided questions and kept volunteers and media waiting.
The episode could complicate any future path back to the PGA Tour for DeChambeau, whose LIV contract expires later in 2026 and whose standing is already clouded by uncertainty around LIV’s remaining four events.