Rory McIlroy Backs Two-Stroke Penalty on Bryson DeChambeau at 2026 Open Rory McIlroy publicly endorsed the two-stroke penalty imposed on Bryson DeChambeau for altering his swing path during the second round of the 2026 Open, calling the decision justified despite the controversy surrounding the ruling. Speaking after his third-round performance, the Northern Irishman described the moment as one of disbelief, emphasizing that the action was clearly visible to fellow players and officials. McIlroy recounted watching the incident live from the players’ lounge, where he and others reacted with confusion as DeChambeau stepped into his ball on the fescue-covered No. 5 hole. “As soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other, and we were like, ‘that didn’t seem right,’” he said. DeChambeau, who had previously pleaded his case with R&A rules officials after the round, was visibly frustrated by the ruling. The penalty, which reduced his score from 7 under par to 5 under, pushed him out of contention for the final group in the third round. Despite the setback, the two-time U.S. Open champion remained committed to the tournament, spending the evening on the driving range and offering snacks to media members who stayed to cover the event. His social media posts later confirmed his intention to compete through the weekend, though he faced criticism for holding the tournament hostage by threatening to withdraw. McIlroy, while not defending DeChambeau’s actions, acknowledged the broader debate about rule enforcement in golf. He criticized the player’s behavior as performative, suggesting that much of the attention DeChambeau garnered was for show rather than genuine competition. “I think a lot of it’s performative,” McIlroy said.#rory_mcilroy #bryson_dechambeau #r_a #2026_open #players_lounge
Jon Rahm Faces Open Disqualification Warning After Temper Tantrum at Royal Birkdale Jon Rahm’s fiery temper nearly cost him a spot in the weekend action at The Open after he was issued an official warning for breaching a new players’ code of conduct during the second round at Royal Birkdale. The two-time major champion lost his composure following a loose tee shot on the 15th hole, which left him stranded left of the green. In frustration, Rahm tossed his club into the air before trudging off the course with a bogey. The incident sparked immediate debate among spectators and officials about whether his outburst warranted disciplinary action under Rule 1.2b of the rules. The R&A’s new code of conduct, introduced for the 2026 majors, aims to enforce stricter behavior standards for players. Rahm’s club-tossing moment marked the latest in a series of incidents involving top golfers this year. Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, a LIV Golf star, had previously been docked strokes for a similar outburst during the U.S. Open. Niemann’s frustration over a disastrous septuple-bogey nine at Shinnecock Hills led to a score change from a 12 to an 11, though he avoided penalties for his actions. Other notable incidents included Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who flashed a middle finger at the 15th green during the Masters, and Sergio Garcia, who slammed his driver into the turf before snapping it on a water cooler. Despite their outbursts, both players escaped penalties, highlighting the inconsistent enforcement of the code. As Rahm completed his second round, an R&A official confirmed he had received a formal warning for his behavior. The governing body warned that a repeat incident could result in a two-shot penalty, with a third offense potentially leading to disqualification.#jon_rahm #joaquin_niemann #the_open #royal_birkdale #r_a
Bryson DeChambeau is golf’s media superstar. He’s not talking to the media SOUTHPORT, England — Bryson DeChambeau declined to meet with television or the press after his first round at the Open Championship. An R&A official confirmed that the 32-year-old American would not be speaking to reporters despite shooting one of the rounds of the day at Royal Birkdale. This marked another chapter in a pattern of media silence that began with his first-round 76 at the Masters on April 9, leaving journalists and fans without his usual explanations. The decision to avoid press engagement followed criticism from two prominent golf commentators, Nick Faldo and Brandel Chamblee, who publicly questioned DeChambeau’s tactical approach to the Open. Faldo and Chamblee, both former players, critiqued his strategy during the tournament, suggesting he lacked the adaptability needed to thrive on links courses. DeChambeau’s response, as relayed by the R&A, indicated he had heard the critiques but offered no direct rebuttal. This silence has amplified speculation about his mindset. DeChambeau’s media blackout is part of a broader pattern of avoiding press engagement. Over the past several months, he has largely stayed away from major championship press conferences, despite his high-profile status in the sport. His refusal to speak to the media has drawn attention to the tension between his desire for control and the expectations of public scrutiny. The decision to remain silent at the Open Championship continued a streak of media avoidance that dates back to his first-round 76 at the Masters, with no apparent reason or explanation provided. This pattern has left journalists and fans without access to his usual explanations, deepening the mystery around his actions.#bryson_dechambeau #nick_faldo #royal_birkdale #r_a #brandel_chamblee
