Bryson DeChambeau’s Two-Shot Penalty at The Open Fuels Rivalry with Rory McIlroy

During the second round of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, officials reviewed footage and assessed Bryson DeChambeau a two-stroke penalty for improving the area around his backswing on the fifth hole. The penalty converted what had been a four-under 66 round into a triple-bogey 7 on that hole, dropping DeChambeau from outright second place to fifth on the leaderboard at the midway point. He later finished the tournament six shots behind champion Ryan Fox.

Bryson DeChambeau says controversial two-shot penalty cost him Claret Jug opportunity at The Open

Before the Open, former major champion Nick Faldo criticized DeChambeau’s “lack of strategy” on links courses, and broadcaster Brandel Chamblee suggested the LIV Golf star spent more time chasing YouTube personality Grant Horvat than competing with the world’s best. The penalty unfolded amid an already tense rivalry between DeChambeau—one of the earliest LIV Golf converts—and Rory McIlroy, a vocal defender of the PGA Tour. Their rivalry is amplified by opposite sides in Ryder Cup selections and contrasting public personas, with DeChambeau’s YouTube-heavy presence contrasting McIlroy’s traditional media profile.

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• First round: 3-under 67, putting DeChambeau in contention.

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• Second round (pre-penalty): 4-under 66 before the ruling.

Bryson DeChambeau says controversial two-shot penalty cost him Claret Jug opportunity at The Open

• Penalty effect: Triple-bogey 7 on hole 5, moving him from second to fifth place.

Bryson DeChambeau says controversial two-shot penalty cost him Claret Jug opportunity at The Open

• Final standing: Six shots behind winner Ryan Fox.

Bryson DeChambeau says controversial two-shot penalty cost him Claret Jug opportunity at The Open

• Additional triple-bogey: Hole 11 in the final round added another three-over.

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• LIV UK event: Opened with an eight-under round at JCB Country Club, the second-best score of the day.

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• Recent major record: The Open marked his first cut made after three consecutive missed cuts in majors.

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• Rory McIlroy asserted the penalty was justified, stating that DeChambeau’s actions were “performative” and “for attention.”

Bryson DeChambeau says controversial two-shot penalty cost him Claret Jug opportunity at The Open

• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler defended DeChambeau, insisting the LIV Golf player is “not a cheater.”

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• “To hold the tournament hostage like that and to have all of us — players, volunteers, everyone — waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look,” — Rory McIlroy

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DeChambeau is slated to compete at the upcoming 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota. Meanwhile, LIV Golf continues to navigate funding uncertainties and plans future events, including a tournament at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey. The rivalry with McIlroy is expected to remain a focal point as both players prepare for the 2027 season and upcoming Ryder Cup selections.

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