Bryson DeChambeau was penalized two strokes during the second round of The Open Championship after officials ruled he had inadvertently improved his lie on the fifth hole. The penalty, which adjusted his score from 66 to 68, sparked a heated dispute with the R&A and drew criticism from fellow golfer Rory McIlroy, who called DeChambeau's reaction 'performative.'
DeChambeau reportedly requested U.S. President Donald Trump's intervention in the dispute, but the R&A denied the request. He also threatened to withdraw from the tournament if the penalty was not overturned. Despite his protests, the decision stood, and DeChambeau finished the tournament at four under par.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler defended DeChambeau, stating he was 'definitely not a cheater' and suggesting stricter enforcement of rules for players under heavy TV scrutiny. Scheffler noted that camera angles can distort perceptions of rule violations and emphasized DeChambeau's long-standing integrity in amateur and professional play.
The controversy overshadowed DeChambeau's performance, with spectators taunting him with chants of 'Rory McIlroy' during the final round. DeChambeau's final-day struggles, including a triple bogey on the 11th hole, further dampened his chances of winning the Claret Jug.