Bryson DeChambeau returned to Royal Birkdale on Saturday determined to move on from a contentious rules decision that has dominated headlines at The Open. The two‑time US Open champion was penalised two shots after his second round when officials ruled he had inadvertently improved his swing path by treading on long grass near his ball in the rough on the fifth.
Penalty cuts into momentum
DeChambeau had produced a four‑under 66 to draw close to the halfway leader, but the ruling saw him fall back to five under for the championship. There was speculation he might withdraw in protest, but he remained on site and planned to tee off in the third‑last group at 3.30pm, paired with Sam Burns.
“Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it.”
The comment, posted on DeChambeau’s social account, underlined his frustration but also his intent to continue competing.
Scenes after the ruling
There were intense moments after the penalty was communicated. DeChambeau revisited the spot to review the circumstances and engaged with rules officials. He later practised on the range into the evening, hitting balls until around 10.30pm, behaviour that drew sustained attention from spectators and media.
Leaderboard context
The controversy stood in contrast to the achievement of the halfway leader, Lucas Herbert, who posted an Open‑record equalling round of 62 to sit on eight under. Several players were close behind, with others posting low scores in testing conditions.
| Player | Score after round |
|---|---|
| Lucas Herbert | -8 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | -5 (after penalty) |
| Sam Burns | -8 (produced an eight‑under round) |
| Jackson Suber | -6 |
| Cameron Young | -6 |
| Ryan Gerard | -6 |
| Ryan Fox | -8 (after 17) |
Conditions on Saturday were cooler and cloudier with a touch more breeze than earlier in the week, offering different challenges for the field.
What to watch next
- Whether DeChambeau can translate his evident frustration into a strong score over the weekend.
- Whether Lucas Herbert can maintain his advantage after an exceptional second round.
- How other players who posted low rounds respond to changing conditions over the final two days.
The episode has reignited debate about rules interpretation at major championships, but for now the focus returns to the scoresheet as players head into the final rounds at Royal Birkdale.
