McIlroy Criticizes DeChambeau’s Conduct After Penalty Incident at The Open

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates on the 17th green during Day Two of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 15, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

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During a Saturday press conference at The Open Championship, Rory McIlroy addressed Bryson DeChambeau’s two-shot penalty from Friday’s round, describing the golfer’s actions as “performative” and “for attention.” McIlroy stated, “I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him. A lot of it’s performative, and it’s not a great look to hold the tournament hostage like that, keeping players, volunteers, and everyone waiting on his departure.”

DeChambeau incurred the penalty after his tee shot landed in a penalty area on the fifth hole. While attempting to play his ball from waist-high fescue grass, he stepped on and around the vegetation behind the ball during his backswing setup. After hitting his shot, which resulted in a bogey, DeChambeau finished with a 66 (7 under par) but was later assessed the penalty by R&A officials. His dispute included reenacting his swing to argue his case, though the penalty stood under Rule 8.1, which prohibits improving a player’s conditions by altering growing or attached natural objects.

McIlroy acknowledged the violation, stating, “There’s no doubt he improved the line of his backswing. Whether it was careless or intentional, the two-shot penalty was justified. Hopefully, it was careless.” DeChambeau, visibly frustrated, reportedly considered withdrawing from the Saturday round before practicing late into the night.

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