What was Bryson DeChambeau's penalty at The Open?

Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty at The Open for inadvertently improving his line of swing by trampling long grass near his ball.

What did Scottie Scheffler say about the incident?

Scottie Scheffler suggested that golf rules might need to be "a little bit more strict" in how players are policed.

How did Rory McIlroy react to Bryson DeChambeau's behavior?

Rory McIlroy criticized Bryson DeChambeau's actions as "performative" following the penalty incident.

PlayersBy the GolfOdds Editorial TeamAug 10, 2026, 8:00 AM ET

Scheffler Calls for Stricter Rules After DeChambeau Open Controversy

Scottie Scheffler advocates for tighter regulations in golf following Bryson DeChambeau's two-shot penalty at The Open Championship.

Scottie Scheffler has called for an increase in the strictness of golf rules, a sentiment expressed after the controversy involving Bryson DeChambeau at The Open. DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty following the conclusion of his second round, which initially placed him one shot off the lead. The penalty was assessed because he was judged to have inadvertently improved his line of swing by trampling on long grass near his ball at Royal Birkdale. This ruling resulted in DeChambeau falling three shots behind Lucas Herbert at the halfway point of the championship.

While Rory McIlroy publicly criticized DeChambeau's actions as "performative," Scheffler initially refrained from offering a direct opinion on the incident, choosing instead to focus on his own play. However, after finishing The Open with a final-round 67 to secure a tie for fourth, the four-time major winner stated, "I think that opens up a greater discussion. I can really say is I think maybe we need to be a little bit more strict in the way that we are policing guys, but it's a little bit of a balan."

Scheffler, a leading contender in upcoming events, is currently priced at +500 (FanDuel) for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Rory McIlroy, who also weighed in on the DeChambeau situation, holds a price of +1200 (FanDuel) for the same tournament. Bryson DeChambeau, the player at the center of the rule discussion, is listed at +2200 (FanDuel) for the Masters Tournament. Lucas Herbert, who briefly held a lead over DeChambeau at The Open, is currently +25000 (DraftKings) for the U.S. Open.

Compare the odds

U.S. Open odds →FedEx St. Jude Championship odds →Masters Tournament odds →U.S. Open odds →Scottie Scheffler Rory McIlroy Bryson DeChambeau Lucas Herbert

FAQ

What was Bryson DeChambeau's penalty at The Open?: Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty at The Open for inadvertently improving his line of swing by trampling long grass near his ball.
What did Scottie Scheffler say about the incident?: Scottie Scheffler suggested that golf rules might need to be "a little bit more strict" in how players are policed.
How did Rory McIlroy react to Bryson DeChambeau's behavior?: Rory McIlroy criticized Bryson DeChambeau's actions as "performative" following the penalty incident.