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Birkdale Penalizes DeChambeau Two Strokes, Halves Earnings

7/23/2026

40 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Royal Birkdale penalized Bryson DeChambeau two strokes for flattening grass during round two.
The penalty dropped DeChambeau to a tie for 14th place, reducing his earnings from £384,000 to £175,000.
DeChambeau threatened to quit, refused to sign his scorecard promptly, and asked officials to involve U.S. President Donald Trump, a request that was denied.

History

Historical Context

After Tiger Woods' 1999 Masters one-stroke penalty for a moving ball—prompting the USGA and PGA Tour to clarify Rule 9-2b—the sport intensified enforcement of improving-lie rules, a shift echoed when Royal Birkdale docked Bryson DeChambeau two strokes in 2024. The change follows a decade of “Tiger-proofing” courses and heightened rule scrutiny.

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Story summary

Royal Birkdale penalized Bryson DeChambeau two strokes for flattening grass during round two.
The penalty dropped DeChambeau to a tie for 14th place, reducing his earnings from £384,000 to £175,000.
DeChambeau threatened to quit, refused to sign his scorecard promptly, and asked officials to involve U.S. President Donald Trump, a request that was denied.

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