Bryson DeChambeau erupted in frustration during the second round of the 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale after officials hit him with a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the par-4 fifth hole.
DeChambeau’s drive sailed into thick fescue rough. While preparing his next shot, he took several steps and appeared to flatten the grass behind the ball with his feet. The R&A reviewed the situation post-round and assessed the penalty under Rule 8.1, changing his bogey into a triple bogey. That adjusted his solid 66 to a 68, leaving him at 5-under and three shots back of leader Lucas Herbert.
Video showed a heated exchange with rules officials on the course, and DeChambeau seemed to threaten walking away from the tournament.
His agent told reporters they would “see” if he teed it up Saturday.
DeChambeau quickly walked it back on social media. He admitted he was disappointed with the ruling and didn’t agree with it, but said the whole thing fired him up. He declared himself ready for the weekend and looking to make a move.
The two-time major winner remains in the mix despite the controversy.
This is hardly the first time DeChambeau has lost his cool on the course. Earlier this year at LIV Golf Mexico City, he threw a notable tantrum over poor course conditions after blading a bunker shot into patchy grass and mud. He sarcastically pointed out the “destroyed grass” to his caddie and called for a rules official, complaining that the situation was “unbelievable.”
DeChambeau has a well-documented history of such outbursts when things don’t go his way.
