Bryson DeChambeau’s Two-Stroke Penalty at the 2026 Open Championship

On July 17, 2026, after completing his second round at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, American golfer Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty for “inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing” on the par-four 5th hole. The ruling changed his round from a 66 (-4) to a 68 (-2), moving him from solo second place at -7 to a tie for fifth at -5, three strokes behind leader Lucas Herbert (Australia).

RFI (Radio France Internationale)

The infraction falls under Rule 8.1a of the Rules of Golf, which prohibits a player from moving, bending, or breaking any natural object that could improve the conditions affecting the stroke, including the area of the intended swing. DeChambeau’s tee shot on the 5th landed in tall fescue; video showed him stepping around the ball before playing his second shot. The R&A’s executive director of governance, Grant Moir, clarified that the rule applies even when the action is accidental. Prior to the penalty, DeChambeau had posted a 4-under 66, putting him one shot behind Herbert and into the final pairing for the third round.

The Spokesman-Review

• Round 1: 67 (-1)

The Guardian

• Round 2 (pre-penalty): 66 (-4) -> Score 66 -7

USA Today

• Adjusted Round 2: 68 (-2) -> Score 68 -5

The Open: Bryson DeChambeau handed two-shot penalty after controversial ruling in second round at Royal Birkdale

• Leaderboard shift: DeChambeau fell from 2nd/-7 to T-5/-5; the lead remained with Herbert at -8 after his 62.

The Guardian

• The penalty also removed DeChambeau from the Saturday final-group pairing, placing him with Sam Burns (USA) at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Heavy

The decision altered the competitive landscape of the Open’s final two rounds, moving DeChambeau out of immediate contention and reshaping groupings for Saturday. It also marks one of the most high-profile applications of Rule 8.1a in a major championship, prompting discussion about the balance between strict rule enforcement and player intent.

GOLF Magazine

The R&A released a statement that the penalty was appropriate because DeChambeau “tamped down a section of grass behind the ball that might have affected his backswing,” emphasizing that intent is irrelevant under the rule. DeChambeau’s agent Brett Falkoff said his client “feels he was unfairly penalized” and that the decision would be reviewed before DeChambeau’s tee time on Saturday. DeChambeau himself posted on X, expressing disappointment but indicating he would continue to compete.

DeChambeau faces tough test after two-stroke penalty at Open ChampionshipUSA TodayThe GuardianBleacher ReportHeavyBryson DeChambeau Penalty Blows Up at 2026 Open

Commentators such as Brandel Chamblee and former Open champion Nick Faldo argued that the penalty was justified and that DeChambeau’s behavior “did not help himself.” Conversely, analysts Jessica Marksbury and Jake Morrow contended that the footage did not show a clear advantage gained and that the rule’s application was overly punitive.

New York Post

Sources differ on whether the action was deemed a deliberate “stomp” or an accidental movement; the R&A maintains it was accidental but still a breach. Some observers note the lack of a camera angle directly behind the ball, leaving uncertainty about the exact impact on the lie.

Heavy

• “Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing, so intended backswing on the fifth hole when he was playing his second shot,” — Grant Moir, executive director of governance, The R&A

The Independent

• “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.” — Bryson DeChambeau, X post, July 17, 2026

Associated Press

• “He's a lot of things. He's not a cheater.” — Brett Falkoff, agent, interview on July 17, 2026

CBS Sports

• “the player mustn’t move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object.” — Grant Moir, R&A briefing, July 17, 2026

Bryson DeChambeau Penalty Blows Up at 2026 Open

• “I’m not playing tomorrow” — Bryson DeChambeau, reported statement to officials, July 17, 2026

Bryson DeChambeau Penalty Blows Up at 2026 Open

DeChambeau’s tee time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. ET) on Saturday, paired with Sam Burns. He will decide whether to start the third round after the midnight social-media post confirming his intent to continue. The outcome will determine if he can recover the two-stroke deficit and re-enter the lead-contending group.

Heavy