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

Bryson DeChambeau was handed a two-shot penalty for a rules breach during the second round of The Open which he believes cost him a chance of lifting the Claret Jug for the first time; DeChambeau finished six shots behind eventual winner Ryan Fox

Friday 24 July 2026 07:59, UK

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Bryson DeChambeau discusses his two-shot penalty at The Open

Bryson DeChambeau has spoken for the first time about the controversial two-shot penalty he believes cost him a shot at winning The Open.

DeChambeau was remarkably penalised in his second round after officials reviewed footage and ruled he had improved the area of his backswing by flattening some long grass on Royal Birkdale's fifth hole.

The penalty turned his bogey into a triple-bogey seven, which moved him from outright second to fifth in the standings at the midway point.

DeChambeau threatened to withdraw from the tournament in protest but played on, making it through to the weekend to end a run of three consecutive missed cuts in majors and avoid the 'Bryson Slam' of missing all four in a season.

But despite recovering with rounds of 69 and 72 he was left wondering what might have been after finishing six shots behind winner Ryan Fox.

"I made the cut," DeChambeau told a LIV Golf UK press conference.

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Bryson DeChambeau was given a two-shot penalty after inadvertently improving his lie in thick rough on the fifth hole at The Open.

"It was a good fight. I wish I'd have given it more on Saturday and Sunday, it felt like I could have.

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"Besides the fifth, being three over on it, and the 11th, that's six shots. That's tied for the lead right there.

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Scottie Scheffler defended Ryder Cup teammate Bryson DeChambeau after he was given a 2 shot penalty during the second round of the Open.

"Two holes and I'm right there for the Claret Jug."

World No 1 Scheffler defended DeChambeau over the rules controversy, insisting his fellow American is "not a cheater", while Rory McIlroy described the incident as "performative".

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Rory McIlroy spoke to the media after his third round of The Open and said he was not impressed with Bryson DeChambeau's actions that led to his two-stroke penalty after the second round.

"I won't pretend to be up here and defend Bryson," McIlroy said on Saturday. "I'm not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it's performative. I think a lot of it's for attention.

"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."

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