Bryson DeChambeau’s spectacular charge up the British Open leaderboard came crashing down on Friday evening when tournament officials handed the American a two-shot penalty for unintentionally improving his lie during the second round at Royal Birkdale. The ruling transformed what appeared a genuine title challenge into bitter frustration, dumping DeChambeau from second place to a tie for fifth and sparking an animated confrontation that reportedly included threats to withdraw.

The two-time US Open champion had climbed to within one shot of leader Lucas Herbert after a sensational birdie-birdie finish delivered a 66 that positioned him perfectly for a weekend assault on the Claret Jug. Instead, the penalty dropped him to five-under and extinguished the momentum he had worked so hard to build across 36 holes.

Trampled grass triggers ruling

Tournament organisers the R&A penalised DeChambeau for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing before his second shot at the fifth hole, where the 32-year-old appeared to trample down long grass whilst addressing his ball for a practice swing.

“Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing, so the intended backswing on the fifth hole when he was playing his second shot,” an R&A spokesperson explained to reporters gathered at Birkdale.

The ruling hinged on DeChambeau’s practice swing affecting the natural lie, even though officials acknowledged the action was entirely accidental rather than deliberate gamesmanship.

“Even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson’s case, the area of intended swing includes the entire area that might reasonably affect any part of the backswing, the downswing or the completion of the swing for the intended stroke,” the R&A added. “Importantly what the prohibited action here is that the player mustn’t move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object.”

Furious reaction raises withdrawal threat

After completing his round, DeChambeau travelled back to the fifth hole and was observed in animated discussions with rules officials, his frustration evident as he contested the decision. Sky Sports reported that the American had even threatened to withdraw from the tournament entirely, though he was later spotted on the practice range signalling his likely participation through the weekend.

First cut of major season

The penalty adds insult to injury for DeChambeau in what has been a disappointing major championship campaign. This represents the first time in 2026 he has even made the cut at a major following early exits at the Masters, USPGA Championship and US Open.

What began as a potential breakthrough weekend threatening the leaders has descended into controversy and frustration. DeChambeau now faces the challenge of regrouping mentally whilst navigating the punishing Birkdale layout knowing that a moment’s carelessness in a practice swing has potentially cost him a realistic shot at Open glory.