DeChambeau: two-shot penalty at Royal Birkdale cost him the Open

Bryson DeChambeau said he would have been "right there for the Claret Jug" if not for a two-shot penalty handed to him during last week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The 32-year-old’s second-round score was retrospectively altered after a video review, a decision he says changed the course of his tournament.

DeChambeau began the Open with a 67 and followed that with what was initially recorded as a 66 on Friday. That second-round figure was later adjusted to a 68 when officials imposed a two-stroke penalty at the 5th hole. Match officials concluded, after examining video, that he had improved the area used for his backswing by standing on and flattening some long grass.

The alteration to his Friday total came after a retrospective ruling rather than an on-the-spot call, leaving the American frustrated at the timing and impact of the sanction. DeChambeau had started brightly and the amended score effectively erased part of the momentum he had built across the first two rounds. He publicly questioned the process surrounding the review and its effect on his chances in the championship.

The penalty itself was applied as a two-stroke addition to his second-round score, tied specifically to actions at the 5th hole. Video evidence was cited by match officials as the basis for their judgement that he had improved the lie for his backswing. The ruling converted an initial 66 into an official 68 for that round.

Reports from the venue said the incident prompted DeChambeau to contemplate withdrawing from the event, with the player reportedly threatening to pull out of the tournament in response to the decision. The episode generated debate about the use of video review in determining penalties and its retrospective application during major championships.

DeChambeau has repeatedly voiced his belief that the penalty altered the trajectory of his week, insisting the sanction deprived him of a genuine opportunity to contend. The dispute over the ruling at Royal Birkdale will remain a talking point from this year’s Open as players and officials assess how similar situations are handled.