Bryson DeChambeau is still fuming about that two-shot penalty that derailed his Open Championship bid, claiming it robbed him of a genuine shot at lifting the Claret Jug. Speaking candidly at the LIV Golf UK event near Uttoxeter, DeChambeau relived the anguish of that 5th hole controversy that saw his second-round score retrospectively adjusted.
The drama unfolded when match officials ruled DeChambeau's backswing had been improved by standing on and flattening long grass. The original bogey was transformed into a triple bogey, catapulting him from second to fifth on the leaderboard. DeChambeau, who had blazed a trail with 67 and 66 in the opening rounds, was visibly incensed by the ruling – so much so that he reportedly threatened to withdraw from the major before persevering through the weekend.
Despite his protests, DeChambeau played out the tournament, carding a solid 69 on the third round and a final-day 72. He ultimately finished six shots adrift of Ryan Fox's triumphant 10 under par performance, while DeChambeau's four under score earned him a tie for 14th. "Yeah, I made the cut," he mused. "It was a good fight. I wish I'd have given it more on Saturday and Sunday – it felt like I could've."
DeChambeau then pinpointed the impact of specific holes: "Besides that fateful 5th, where I was three over, and the 11th – six shots – that's tied for the lead right there. Two holes and I'm right there for the Claret Jug.”
The penalty may have blunted his momentum, but DeChambeau's strong performance at Royal Birkdale still marked his best major finish since claiming runner-up honours behind Scottie Scheffler at the 2025 US PGA Championship. It was also a significant improvement on his previous three major appearances – where he'd failed to make the cut.