Bryson DeChambeau Assessed Two-Shot Penalty at Open on Fifth Hole

Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty at the Open on Friday for inadvertently improving the area of intended backswing on the fifth hole, violating rule 8.1. DeChambeau had struck his ball into high grass to the right of the fifth hole. Officials drove him back to the hole after he completed his round and later brought him into the recorders hut at Royal Birkdale.

He finished the round with a score of 66 after making back-to-back birdies. Rules official Grant Moir stated that DeChambeau had been penalized two strokes for the action. DP World Tour rules referee Graeme Storm said the player had improved the line of play by stepping back on the long grass behind his line of play.

Storm added that whether the improvement was intentional does not matter under the rules. DeChambeau told media after emerging from the hut, “Are you guys having a great night? ” He said he was going to hit some balls on the driving range.

The penalty left the 32-year-old two-time U.S. Open champion at 5-under-par overall, three shots behind the leaders. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot 62, becoming the sixth and seventh men in history to post that score at a major.

Jon Rahm received a warning after throwing his club in frustration on hole 15. Rahm carded a 67 and sat four shots off the lead. Rahm said he knew the reason for the official’s approach on the 17th hole.

He added that he should not have reacted that way but described himself as more intense and passionate than many players.