Bryson DeChambeau receives two-stroke penalty for rules breach at 2026 Open Championship
Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty after officials determined he had improved his lie on the fifth hole during round two of the 2026 Open Championship, but he said he will continue playing.
Bryson DeChambeau’s surge up the leaderboard at the 2026 Open Championship was halted after tournament officials imposed a two-stroke penalty for a rules violation on the fifth hole of round two. The penalty was confirmed by an R&A official on Friday, July 17.
After finishing the round in second place behind leader Lucas Herbert, DeChambeau was seen discussing the issue with a rules official in the scoring tent. Replays showed his drive landing in long fescue and him stepping on the grass in a manner that could have altered the condition of his stance.
"The rules official said I improved my lie," DeChambeau told his associates, according to a broadcast report.
R&A rules official Charlie Maran said the matter was reviewed on the course and that the infraction involved moving a natural object, which is prohibited even if unintentional. Referee Grant Moir explained that the rule “restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke… even when the action is accidental.”
DeChambeau’s manager Brett Falkoff said the golfer was not notified of the possible violation until after his round and that DeChambeau requested to return to the fifth hole to discuss the incident. Falkoff added that officials felt DeChambeau was not careful enough around a sensitive area and may have improved his swing path.
Despite speculation about a possible withdrawal, DeChambeau posted on social media that he remains in the tournament, expressing disappointment with the ruling but indicating he will continue.
The penalty leaves DeChambeau with a triple-bogey 7 on the fifth hole, a total of five-under for the event, three strokes behind the leader.