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Bryson DeChambeau Penalized Two Strokes, Falls to Fifth

7/18/2026

Summary

DeChambeau Penalized

Bryson DeChambeau was penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving his backswing area on hole five.
The penalty turned his 66 into 68, dropping him from solo second to a tie for fifth.
Grant Moir of The R&A said the breach involved improving the swing area.
DeChambeau posted on X that he was disappointed with the ruling.

Summary

DeChambeau Protest

The two-stroke penalty reshuffled tee times, moving Jackson Suber into the final group with leader Lucas Herbert.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley called the ruling a breach while Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee dismissed DeChambeau’s protest as childish and supported the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A).
Fans posted the “FescueGate” video, leading commentators to note video-review’s expanding role in majors and to call for clearer “least intrusive” rules.

History

Historical Context

The R&A and USGA overhauled the Rules of Golf in 2019, adding twelve clarifications and earmarking $5 million for a global education drive (Decision 14-3). That same rule, which bars players from improving their stance or swing area, was enforced on Bryson DeChambeau in 2024 with a two-stroke penalty, reflecting IFAB’s long-standing pattern of periodic revisions and tighter enforcement.

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DeChambeau Penalized

Bryson DeChambeau was penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving his backswing area on hole five.
The penalty turned his 66 into 68, dropping him from solo second to a tie for fifth.
Grant Moir of The R&A said the breach involved improving the swing area.
DeChambeau posted on X that he was disappointed with the ruling.

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