A fired-up Bryson DeChambeau risked a code of conduct warning after waving his club close to the face of The Open’s head referee as he disputed a two-shot penalty that left him seething at Royal Birkdale.
The American two-time US Open champion was expecting to be in the final group after a 66 propelled him to seven under par, just one behind Australian Lucas Herbert who had equalled the major record with a 62. But R&A officials judged that DeChambeau had improved the area for his backswing in long grass on the driveable par-four fifth — a decision he called into question with an animated confrontation.
“Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty at The Open, then waved his club near the referee's face.”
After marching to the practice ground as daylight faded, DeChambeau spent almost an hour hitting balls in the dark, lit only by the brightness of the huge screen on the range, before calling it quits just before 10.30pm on Friday without speaking to the assembled media. He later posted on X: “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.”
On Instagram he was even more pointed, posting digitally-manipulated pictures of himself floating above the rough at the site of his infringement — an obvious reference to not touching the long grass while officials discussed the ruling — with the words: “Walking into the weekend like…”
The penalty dropped him to five under for the tournament, and he will resume on Saturday afternoon alongside compatriot Sam Burns, who also shot a major-record-equalling 62. Conditions on Saturday were cooler and cloudier, with slightly more of a breeze, and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox took early advantage with five birdies in his opening eight holes to move to five under — just three behind leader Herbert, who had missed a putt on the last to set a new record outright.
DeChambeau is expected back at the Southport links around 1.30pm ahead of his 3.30pm tee time. The controversy threatens to overshadow what had been shaping up as a thrilling title bid, with the American now facing an uphill battle to recover lost ground.