Bryson DeChambeau Assessed Two-Shot Penalty for Improving Lie at The Open

Bryson DeChambeau incurred a two-shot penalty during Friday's second round of the 2026 Open Championship, following a review of his actions on the fifth hole. The penalty was assessed for improving his lie, a violation that significantly impacted his standing at the major championship.

The incident occurred after DeChambeau drove his ball into the native fescue area to the right of the fairway on the par-4 fifth hole. Reports indicate that as he approached his ball, he took several heavy steps around it, which appeared to press down the long grass behind his ball. While DeChambeau ultimately managed to hack his ball out of the fescue, initially recording a bogey on the hole, the situation prompted a review by rules officials.

Following the completion of his round, rules officials from the R&A transported DeChambeau back to the fifth hole to discuss the matter. After their assessment, the initial bogey on the fifth was retroactively changed to a triple-bogey 7. This adjustment altered his second-round score from a 4-under 66 to a 2-under 68. Consequently, DeChambeau's position on the leaderboard shifted from solo second, just one shot off the lead, to a tie for fifth place.

Despite the two-shot setback and the drop in the standings, Bryson DeChambeau remains a prominent figure in the tournament. His current price to win The Open is +600 (Bovada), reflecting his continued presence among the leading contenders as the championship progresses.