Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty during the second round of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing on the fifth hole. The penalty dropped him from seven under to five under par.
Officials from the R&A informed DeChambeau after his round that video showed him trampling grass while preparing for his second shot on the par-4 fifth hole. Chief rules referee Grant Moir stated that the action violated Rule 8.1a, which prohibits moving or bending growing objects in a way that improves the swing area, even if accidental.
DeChambeau argued his case at the site but ultimately accepted the penalty. He initially indicated he might withdraw from the tournament but later announced on social media that he would play the weekend.
Brandel Chamblee described the reaction as childish and immature. DeChambeau is scheduled to tee off at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday alongside Sam Burns and sits three shots behind leader Lucas Herbert.
