Scottie Scheffler has come to the defense of Bryson DeChambeau following his rules controversy at The Open, insisting the two‑time US Open champion is far from a cheater.
DeChambeau was in the spotlight at Royal Birkdale during the season’s final men’s major, appearing to be within a shot of the halfway lead before receiving a two‑shot penalty after his second round.
The LIV Golf League player was judged to have improved the line of his backswing in the thick rough on the par‑four fifth hole, converting a bogey into a triple‑bogey seven. DeChambeau engaged in lengthy discussions with rules officials late into Friday evening.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sir Nick Faldo and Paul McGinley analysed Bryson DeChambeau’s controversial two-stroke penalty from Friday and agreed he has not respected the rules of golf
Rumors that DeChambeau might withdraw in protest were quickly dismissed by the American, who avoided speaking to the media after each round but later posted on social media that the decision had motivated him to keep playing.
Rory McIlroy criticized DeChambeau’s conduct as ‘performative,’ citing his extended post‑round discussion on the course and a late‑night range session, although the R&A concluded his actions were unintentional.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy spoke to the media after his third round of The Open and said he was not impressed with Bryson DeChambeau’s actions
“I’ve known DeChambeau for years; he has many qualities, but cheating is not one of them,” Scheffler said after finishing tied for fourth. “I have never witnessed him cheat.”
“Whether we were putting, chipping, or playing amateur golf together, nothing ever seemed suspicious.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Bryson DeChambeau was given a two-shot penalty after inadvertently improving his lie in thick rough on the fifth hole
“From that camera angle he might have appeared a bit careless with his ball, but I don’t believe he acted intentionally.”
Scheffler refrained from commenting after his third round, but shared his thoughts on the final day, questioning whether the rules could be enforced differently.
“Perhaps we need a stricter approach to policing players,” Scheffler explained. “It’s a balance — players like Bryson are constantly on TV, so every shot is scrutinized.”
“When the cameras are far away, actions can look different than they do up close. At times, it seems some players push the limits further than they should.”
“Returning to the game’s traditions and applying a firmer enforcement of the rules might be necessary.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sam Burns said that ‘there was not enough evidence’ to penalise Bryson DeChambeau during the second round
Scheffler on the Near‑Miss: ‘It Wasn’t My Week’
Scheffler had aimed to become the first back‑to‑back Open champion since Padraig Harrington, briefly sitting within one shot of the lead on the final day before a bogey on the last hole left him three strokes behind winner Ryan Fox.
“It was a solid effort,” Scheffler said. “I felt I was executing the right shots, gave myself plenty of looks, but it simply wasn’t my week.”
“I caught a fortunate break on the 17th, though my tee shot should have landed in the fairway — mistakes like that sting. My ball on the 13th found the hole; it wasn’t my best drive, yet the moment called for aggression.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Scottie Scheffler raged after his tee shot found the rough on the par-five 17th hole at Royal Birkdale
“I noticed several players having success with their shots over the past few days, yet those breaks didn’t come my way. Small nuances — like my ball on the 14th appearing to be in the fairway only to end up in a pot bunker — accumulate over a round.”
“Overall I played well this week, remained patient, and struck the ball cleanly across four days. Perhaps only yesterday did I not strike it as sharply as I hoped.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the final round of The Open, where Ryan Fox claimed an impressive maiden major victory
Looking Ahead
The next PGA Tour stop is the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, kicking off Thursday with early coverage on Sky Sports+ before moving to Sky Sports Golf at 7 p.m.
The 3M Open is part of a triple‑header of live golf on Sky Sports, alongside the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. The women’s major season concludes with the AIG Women’s Open from July 30 to August 2, also broadcast on Sky Sports Golf.
