Bryson DeChambeau: I could have fought for Open win without penalty

Bryson DeChambeau is revisiting his performance at last week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, claiming a two-shot penalty hindered his chances of winning the Claret Jug. The incident occurred during the second round, where officials ruled that DeChambeau improved his lie by standing on and flattening long grass near his ball. Following a video review, his score for the fifth hole was adjusted from a bogey to a triple bogey, a change that dropped him from second to fifth place on the leaderboard at the time.

DeChambeau expressed strong frustration with the ruling throughout the tournament, going so far as to threaten withdrawal before ultimately deciding to play through the weekend. Despite the setback, he finished in a tie for 14th place, six shots behind winner Ryan Fox. Reflecting on his score, DeChambeau maintains that the two-stroke penalty and his struggles on the 11th hole were the primary factors separating him from a victory, insisting that he would have been in contention for the title without those specific issues.

The penalty sparked significant discourse among other top players in the sport. Rory McIlroy openly criticized DeChambeau during the event, characterizing his protest and public reaction as performative and aimed at generating attention. These comments drew a response from Scottie Scheffler, who stated that he prefers to focus on the course rather than engaging in personal jabs against competitors.

DeChambeau, now competing at the LIV Golf UK event at the JCB Golf and Country Club, views his finish as a sign of progress in major tournaments. His result at Royal Birkdale marks his most successful finish at a major since his runner-up position at the 2025 PGA Championship. While the debate regarding the rules violation persists, DeChambeau remains focused on his upcoming schedule after confirming he is moving past the controversy at the Open.