Sir Nick Faldo has strongly criticized Bryson DeChambeau following the LIV Golf star’s controversial two-shot penalty during the second round of The Open Championship, accusing him of letting his emotions take over.
DeChambeau was penalized after the R&A ruled that he had inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale. The decision turned his bogey into a triple bogey, dropping him further behind the leaders and sparking a heated exchange with tournament officials.
The American initially reacted angrily to the ruling, at one stage reportedly suggesting he might not return for the third round. However, he later struck a more measured tone on social media.
“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,” DeChambeau wrote.
Despite the statement, three-time Open champion Sir Nick Faldo questioned DeChambeau’s handling of the situation.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Faldo suggested the controversy had become an unnecessary distraction.
“I always thought you wanted to come into a major and keep your mind and body on a lovely, even kind of zen keel,” Faldo said.
“For him to be having to deal with all this emotion, whether it fires him up or not, we will see. I’ve got to believe it’s another hurdle to climb.”
Faldo also implied that DeChambeau had become the center of attention for the wrong reasons at one of golf’s biggest events.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley echoed those sentiments, arguing that DeChambeau had only made the situation worse with his response.
“He’s made himself the story now,” McGinley said.
“We’ve seen a lot of these incidents over the years, but there was acceptance of it. A lot of the time, nobody makes a big fuss or drama the way that went on. That’s where Bryson got it wrong—he didn’t respect the referees in the game.”
The R&A has stood by its decision, explaining that Rule 8.1 applies even when a player accidentally improves the conditions affecting their stroke.
With the controversy continuing to dominate headlines, DeChambeau now faces the challenge of putting the incident behind him as he attempts to climb back into contention over the final two rounds at Royal Birkdale.
