The Open: Rory McIlroy claims Bryson DeChambeau 'held the tournament hostage' over 'performative' rules drama delay
Bryson DeChambeau was issued a two-shot penalty during his second round at Royal Birkdale, resulting in heated conversations with rules officials; Rory McIlroy criticised DeChambeau's behaviour and the impact it had on everyone at The Open
By Ali Stafford at Royal Birkdale
Last Updated: 18/07/26 9:53pm
Rory McIlroy has issued a scathing attack on Bryson DeChambeau over his 'performative' behaviour and ‘holding the tournament hostage’ during his rules fiasco at The Open.
DeChambeau appeared to have carded a four-under 66 at Royal Birkdale on Friday evening to move within a shot of the halfway lead, only to be involved in a lengthy rules dispute with R&A officials.
The two-time major champion was adjudged to have improved the line of his swing in long grass at the par-four fifth, resulting in a two-shot penalty and dropping him three strokes behind halfway leader Lucas Herbert.
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DeChambeau returned to the course to contest his decision and continued to defend his case in the recorders area, with the decision not being confirmed for nearly 80 minutes after he walked off the 18th green.
"Late night for everyone," said McIlroy. "I won't pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. 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."
Tee times for Saturday's third round weren't released until nearly 11pm due to the delay, labelled a 'joke' by Marco Penge and questioned by Justin Thomas on social media, with DeChambeau going to the range post-round before declining interviews.
DeChambeau said on social media that he was 'disappointed' and 'didn't agree' with the ruling, which dropped him back to tied-fifth, although McIlroy insisted that R&A officials made the correct decision.
"I was watching it live," McIlroy added. "I was up in the players' lounge watching it with a few other players, and as soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other and were like 'that didn't seem right'.
"Then when I heard that he was called in by the rules officials, it was pretty obvious why. I think there's no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing.
"Whether it was careless or whether it was intentional, I don't think it matters. Hopefully it was careless, but I think the two-shot penalty was justified for sure."
Grant Moir, the executive director of governance for The R&A, explained on Friday evening that the penalty under Rule 8.1 of the rules of golf applied "even when the action was accidental, as it was in Bryson's case."
When asked if he felt DeChambeau's actions were deliberate, McIlroy said: "I'm not in his mind - but it didn't look good.
"It's hard. Every shot is on camera. There's a lot of guys that play this week and the shots aren't on camera. So you can say that that's unfair or whatever, or it might happen more than it does.
"It's obviously impossible to police everyone, and that's why it is, for the most part, a self-policing game.
"I think when there is obvious evidence like there was last night, then obviously that's a different story."
Burns backs DeChambeau as others players give their verdict
DeChambeau's penalty drew a mixed reaction from other players when they were quizzed on it after completing their third rounds.
Leader Sam Burns played alongside DeChambeau on Saturday and backed his fellow American.
"I honestly feel bad for Bryson in the situation that he was in," he said. "I didn't feel like maybe there was enough evidence for him to deserve a penalty there.
"He played an incredible round of golf late yesterday, and it's unfortunate to have something kind of like that where they come in after your round and tell you you're being docked two shots.
"But props to him. He came out and played a really nice round of golf today, and that takes a lot of grit to be able to come out and do that. So I was impressed."
Max Homa was another American to feel DeChambeau was hard done by.
"I only saw one angle, and in my opinion I didn't agree with the ruling," he said. "All I know is I've known Bryson for a very long time, and he's an interesting human at times, but I know he would never cheat the game of golf."
Shane Lowry, however, felt the punishment was merited.
"Looks to me like he improved his lie, and that's the rules of golf. It was interesting watching it last night. None of us were expecting it. It's unfortunate for him, but that's the way it is," said the Irishman.
Jon Rahm added: "For people who have seen all the images, I think the consensus is that, although it wasn't intentional, it was an infraction. That's what I understand, but I haven't seen."
Englishman Marco Penge was unhappy with the furore due to the delay in announcing Saturday's tee times.
"It was a bit of a joke really," he said. "I'm staying at home this week, which is an hour away, and not getting a tee time until 11pm is not great. We could have at least got a heads up for what time the first tee time was going to be. Obviously there was a lot of commotion, so that delayed things."
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, opted to keep his counsel for the time being.
"I was playing with him yesterday. I don't really have a ton to say on it. Actually, I do have a ton to say. I haven't decided exactly what I want to say publicly yet," he said.
"I do have some thoughts. I don't really feel like now is the time or place for me to comment. We're in the middle of a tournament, and I'm focused on what I need to do. I need to go out tomorrow and shoot a low round. I'm not really going to expand on it too much."
McIlroy says 'what is on a lot of players' minds!'
Sky Sports' Rich Beem: "I think that Rory is never afraid to speak his mind, telling you exactly what he thinks. He's got an opinion on it. I was actually surprised at the number of players who came out and defended him.
"They didn't think that there was anything wrong with the way that he got into the golf ball. I thought that was very surprising to be fair, but Rory basically said what is on a lot of the players' minds - that it just didn't look right.
"The two-stroke penalty was warranted."
Sky Sports' Sir Nick Faldo: "Forget who it is standing there, it's another golfer. You walk through the process and you look at that big clump of grass standing up around two feet high around his right foot.
"You look at the shape of it, by the time he's put his left foot into it, it's changed. It's squished down a good six or so inches. He has proved on his practice swing, going back and forth probably a couple of times too many. His practice swing probably touched the original position of that grass.
"The R&A handled that perfectly. Keep it factual, and it was definitely on the path of his club, shaft and everything. It doesn't matter whether it was intentional or whether you don't have a clue about the rule book; it happened. It all factually happened in front of us. It's two shots, get on with it."
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