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England: Bryson DeChambeau penalized two strokes at Open

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Bryson DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty on Friday, July 17, 2026, during the second round of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. After hitting his tee shot into deep rough on the par-4 fifth hole and playing a provisional ball, his original ball was found and he was required to continue with it under the Rules of Golf. Following his round, The R&A officials, led by Chief Global Golf Alliance Officer Grant Moir, reviewed the incident on-site and ruled he violated Rule 8.1 by improving his backswing area, dropping him from a tie for third to a tie for fifth.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Friday, July 17, 2026 DeChambeau plays second Open round
Friday, July 17, 2026 Tee shot finds thick rough
Friday, July 17, 2026 Provisional ball played from fairway
Friday, July 17, 2026 Marshal locates original ball nearby
Friday, July 17, 2026 DeChambeau plays from deep rough
After completing round Officials summon DeChambeau to fifth
Same day R&A conducts on-course reenactment review
Same day Rule 8.1 violation confirmed, two-shot penalty

Why This Matters to You

If you're a golf fan, this is a big deal. It shows that even top players like DeChambeau can make mistakes. It's a reminder to know the rules, whether you're watching or playing. Next time you're on the course, remember Rule 8.1.

The Bottom Line

DeChambeau's penalty reshuffles the leaderboard at the Open. It's a tough lesson in golf's strict rules. For fans, it adds a layer of drama to the tournament. Worth forwarding if you know someone who loves a good golf story.