Why was Bryson DeChambeau penalized at The Open Championship?

Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty for improving his lie on the fifth hole after stepping on thick grass to access his ball.

How did the penalty affect Bryson DeChambeau's score?

The two-shot penalty changed his second-round score from a 4-under 66 to a 2-under 68, dropping his overall tournament score from 7-under to 5-under.

Where did the incident occur?

The incident leading to the penalty took place on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale during the second round of The Open Championship.

MajorsBy the GolfOdds Editorial TeamAug 2, 2026, 5:01 AM ET

DeChambeau Hit With Two-Shot Penalty After Reaching Solo Second at The Open Championship

Bryson DeChambeau's strong second round at Royal Birkdale was marred by a two-shot penalty, dropping him from solo second place.

Bryson DeChambeau experienced a significant turn of events during the second round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. After initially posting a 4-under 66, which placed him in solo second position and just one shot off the lead, officials assessed a two-shot penalty against him. This ruling altered his round score to a 2-under 68, moving his overall tournament standing from 7-under to 5-under.

The penalty stemmed from an incident on the fifth hole. DeChambeau's ball landed in thick grass near the tree line. To access his ball, he stepped on the long grass, which officials later determined constituted improving his lie. The decision followed a prolonged and heated discussion with officials on the course, taking over an hour to resolve after his round concluded.

The ruling significantly impacted DeChambeau's standing at the midway point of the tournament, shifting him down the leaderboard from a prime position. Despite this setback, Bryson DeChambeau remains a prominent figure in major championship discussions, with his current odds for the Masters Tournament listed at +2200 (FanDuel).

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FAQ

Why was Bryson DeChambeau penalized at The Open Championship?: Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty for improving his lie on the fifth hole after stepping on thick grass to access his ball.
How did the penalty affect Bryson DeChambeau's score?: The two-shot penalty changed his second-round score from a 4-under 66 to a 2-under 68, dropping his overall tournament score from 7-under to 5-under.
Where did the incident occur?: The incident leading to the penalty took place on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale during the second round of The Open Championship.