The R&A has officially explained why Bryson DeChambeau received a costly two-stroke penalty during the second round of The Open Championship, insisting the decision was fully in line with the Rules of Golf.
The ruling centered on DeChambeau’s second shot from the rough on the par-4 fifth hole at Royal Birkdale. After reviewing video footage, officials concluded that the LIV Golf star had inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing before playing the shot.
R&A referee Grant Moir confirmed the decision, stating:
“Bryson has been penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing.”
Moir stressed that the rule applies regardless of a player’s intent.
“This rule applies even when there’s no intention to improve the area, as was the case with Bryson.”
Under Rule 8.1, players are prohibited from moving, bending, or breaking growing or attached natural objects if doing so improves the conditions affecting their stroke.
While golfers are permitted to take a reasonable stance, Moir explained that there are clear limits.
“The player must take the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation and is not entitled to a normal stance or swing.”
The penalty proved costly for DeChambeau, turning his bogey on the fifth hole into a triple bogey and changing his second-round score from 66 to 68. Instead of finishing one shot off the lead, the two-time U.S. Open champion slipped three shots behind heading into the weekend.
The decision has sparked widespread debate among players and fans, but the R&A maintains that the Rules of Golf were applied correctly and consistently, even though the improvement to DeChambeau’s lie was deemed accidental.