Chamblee Calls DeChambeau’s Open Penalty Reaction Childish and Immature

A dramatic Friday at the Open Championship — highlighted by two players posting 62s — quickly shifted focus to a rules controversy involving Bryson DeChambeau.

DeChambeau believed he had carded a four‑under 66 at Royal Birkdale on Friday, placing him solo second and one shot behind the leader at the 36‑hole mark. Immediately after finishing his round, R&A rules officials approached him to discuss an incident on the 5th hole.

As reported elsewhere, the officials sought DeChambeau’s explanation of what occurred on the fifth. He had missed the fairway far to the right into the fescue, and while walking around his ball and analyzing his approach shot, officials determined he had improved his swing path. The televised broadcast showed an animated DeChambeau pleading his case with the officials at the spot of the incident.

DeChambeau did not speak to reporters, although Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis said he spoke with DeChambeau’s agent and caddie. They felt that even if DeChambeau unintentionally flattened any grass, it did not alter his lie or swing path.

The R&A assessed a two‑stroke penalty, converting his 66 into a 68. DeChambeau then proceeded to the driving range, as Lewis reported live on Golf Channel.

“The other interesting detail coming from [agent] Brett Falkoff is that, despite DeChambeau currently hitting balls on the range, he remains undecided about whether he will continue in this championship,” Lewis said. “He will make his decision tomorrow morning about whether to return to Birkdale for Round 3.”

DeChambeau’s turbulent conclusion gave the Golf Channel Live From crew — Brandel Chamblee, Paul McGinley, and host Rich Lerner — ample material to discuss.

“This was a clear violation,” Chamblee stated. “It is difficult to accept the silliness we have witnessed from Bryson. You face the evidence, acknowledge that you broke the rule, and accept the penalty.”

“Furthermore, it is childish for him to say he is unsure about playing. If the R&A has already set tee times for tomorrow and he withdraws, a player with a genuine chance to win would be forced to play as a solo competitor.”

Chamblee and McGinley referenced other rules incidents — Esteban Toledo at Q‑School and Dustin Johnson at the 2010 PGA Championship — where penalties were accepted without dispute. Now the lingering question is whether DeChambeau will even tee off on Saturday.

“That will not happen,” McGinley said of a potential DeChambeau withdrawal. “The damage to Bryson’s brand would be enormous if he withdrew. Neither he nor his team would allow that. Moreover, he is only one shot behind second place in the Open Championship. Walking away while playing well is simply not an option; that comment was likely made in the heat of frustration. Once he calms down and reality sets in, he will accept the ruling and move forward.”

At five under par for the tournament, DeChambeau is tied for fifth and three strokes behind leader Lucas Herbert. He is scheduled to tee off alongside Sam Burns at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday.

After departing Royal Birkdale without speaking to the media, DeChambeau took to social media to confirm he will play the weekend and retain a chance at the Claret Jug.

It has been a disappointing and chaotic major season for DeChambeau.

He missed the cut at the first three majors of the year and has avoided speaking with the assembled media after several of his rounds. DeChambeau was also recently bothered by comments from Nick Faldo, and it is likely he heard what Chamblee said before this tournament began — namely, that “he went from chasing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to chasing Grant Horvat. It seems he aims to outdo every YouTuber in golf rather than outplay everyone in the sport.”

On Friday, Chamblee labeled this latest DeChambeau episode “childish” and “immature.”

“I believe there is an element within his team that constantly tries to curate his image,” Chamblee said before DeChambeau announced his intention to play. “I agree that he will likely play, but let’s say there is a 1 or 2 percent chance he does not — I think this is merely performative, intended to keep the world talking about him all night.”

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