Bryson DeChambeau: Penalty Cost Him Open Championship Contention Bryson DeChambeau claimed he could have secured a major championship victory at the Open Championship last week had he not been penalized two strokes during the tournament at Royal Birkdale. The 32-year-old American, who had positioned himself among the top contenders after a strong start, saw his performance drastically altered by a retrospective penalty handed at the fifth hole. DeChambeau’s second-round score was adjusted from 68 to 72, pushing him from second place on the leaderboard to fifth. DeChambeau’s tournament began promisingly, with a 67 in the first round and a 66 on Friday. However, the penalty for a rules violation at the fifth hole—where he was assessed two strokes—turned a bogey into a triple bogey, significantly impacting his standing. Despite the setback, DeChambeau continued competing, finishing the tournament with a third-round 69 and a final-round 72. He finished four under par, six strokes behind winner Ryan Fox, who claimed his first major title at 10 under par. DeChambeau expressed frustration over the penalty, stating it played a pivotal role in his weekend performance. During a news conference at the LIV Golf UK event at JCB Golf and Country Club, he remarked, “I wish I’d have given it more on Saturday and Sunday; it felt like I could have.” He also highlighted the significance of the penalty, saying, “Two holes and I’m right there for the Claret Jug.” The penalty, which occurred during Friday’s round, was not immediately contested. DeChambeau’s protest came later, and he even threatened to withdraw from the tournament. However, he chose to continue playing, acknowledging the impact of the decision on his chances.#bryson_dechambeau #royal_birkdale #open_championship #ryan_fox #liv_golf_uk
Sam Burns Gets Emotional Calling Wife a ‘Superhero’ After Major Championship Record Sam Burns delivered one of the most extraordinary performances in major championship history on Friday at the 154th Open Championship, carding an eight-under 62 at Royal Birkdale to match the lowest single-round score ever recorded in a men’s major. The PGA Tour star surged into contention after starting the day at three over par, joining Lucas Herbert in equaling the championship record during a remarkable second round. Burns’ achievement carried added significance, as he had nearly missed the final major of the season altogether due to personal circumstances. Burns and his wife welcomed their second child, a daughter, just two weeks prior, and he had initially no intention of traveling to The Open. Speaking after his record-tying round, Burns credited his wife for making the trip possible, calling her a “superhero.” His decision to compete was not made lightly, as he had expected to miss the tournament entirely. Burns revealed that before his daughter’s birth on July 3, he believed there was “0% chance” he would play. His agent, Brett, had signed him up “just in case,” but Burns had assumed he would not be able to participate. Even after the birth, Burns did not expect to make the trip. “I still wasn’t expecting to play by any means,” he admitted. However, after several conversations with his wife, she encouraged him to attend the tournament. “She’s just amazing, a superhero. And if it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be here,” he said. His decision quickly paid off, as his second-round 62 moved him to five under par and firmly into contention heading into the weekend. Burns’ 62 matched the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major championship, a mark first set by Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in 2017.#scottie_scheffler #sam_burns #royal_birkdale #lucas_herbert #branden_grace
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
Gambling contributing to abuse of golfers - Fitzpatrick Sports betting is increasingly linked to the harassment of professional golfers, according to Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion. The English player highlighted how gambling-related abuse has become a growing issue in the sport, citing instances where fans targeted athletes on social media and during live events. Fitzpatrick, who finished tied for 44th at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, described how the practice has created a toxic environment for players. Fitzpatrick recounted his experiences during the 2022 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where the European team faced hostile reactions from U.S. fans. He also mentioned the backlash he received after losing to Cameron Young at the PGA Tour’s Players Championship in March. “Every golfer who has played a professional tournament has faced abuse from someone connected to gambling,” Fitzpatrick said. He explained how fans often use social media platforms like X to publicly criticize players, especially those perceived as underperforming or favored to win. The golfer emphasized that the issue is particularly acute in golf due to the sport’s reliance on betting. “It’s very easy to influence a bet, whether it’s shouting at a player’s backswing or during a putting stroke,” he noted. While acknowledging the difficulty of monitoring such behavior, Fitzpatrick stressed that the problem is significant and requires urgent attention. The R&A, the governing body of golf, has introduced a new code of conduct for the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The initiative, titled “The Open Commitment,” aims to address concerns about fan behavior amid the record-breaking attendance of over 300,000 spectators.#ryder_cup #matt_fitzpatrick #cameron_young #royal_birkdale #the_r_a
Genesis Scottish Open: Rory McIlroy Relishes 'Perfect' Prep for The Open and Says Event Should Be National Open 'Blueprint' Rory McIlroy has praised the Genesis Scottish Open as the "perfect" preparation for The Open Championship, calling the event a "blueprint" for integrating national opens into the PGA Tour's future schedule. The six-time major champion returns to the tournament at The Renaissance Club in Scotland, where he will compete for a fifth time in six seasons. With 15 of the world's top 20 players in action, the event serves as a crucial lead-in to the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, which begins on July 16. McIlroy, who last played in the US Open, emphasized the event's role in bridging the gap between national opens and major championships. The Genesis Scottish Open is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, making it the only European tournament currently shared between the two tours. This week's event is part of the PGA Tour's planned two-tier schedule starting in 2028, which will feature a "Championship Series" and a "Challenger Series" with promotion and relegation between them. McIlroy highlighted the success of the co-sanctioned model, noting the quality of the field, the support from sponsors like Genesis, and the ongoing improvements to the course and facilities. "Since this event has been co-sanctioned, it really has gone from strength to strength," he said. "You look at the quality of the field this week, you get a great sponsor like Genesis on board. They have kept making improvements to the golf course and facilities each and every year." McIlroy also expressed support for expanding the concept of national opens, suggesting that events like the Canadian Open could be co-sanctioned to lead into the US Open.#rory_mcilroy #pga_tour #dp_world_tour #royal_birkdale #genesis_scottish_open
Regional Qualifying for The 154th Open: Over 2,000 Golfers Chase Royal Birkdale Dreams More than 2,000 golfers from across Great Britain and Ireland will compete in Regional Qualifying for The 154th Open, with the event taking place at 16 venues starting on Monday, June 22. The competition serves as the first step toward securing a spot in the prestigious tournament at Royal Birkdale, with the final qualifying round scheduled eight days later. The 16 venues include Bearwood Lakes, Caldy, Chart Hills, Craigielaw, Enville, Ferndown, Fulford, Gog Magog, Hesketh, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Lindrick, Minchinhampton, Moor Park, North Hants, Rochester & Cobham Park, and The Island. Fans can follow live updates via The Open’s website starting at 6:30 a.m. on June 22. The field includes a mix of professional and amateur golfers, as well as notable names with prior Open experience. Among the competitors are Robert Rock, Sam Forgan, Robert Dinwiddie, Zane Scotland, and Alex Maguire, all of whom have previously participated in The Open. PGA TOUR players, amateur stars, former Premier League footballers, and content creators will also be in action, with Royal Birkdale as the ultimate goal. Kris Kim, a 2023 R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship winner, has made headlines as the youngest European player to make a PGA TOUR cut at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Kim will compete at Bearwood Lakes, aiming to advance to Final Qualifying. Joining him at Caldy will be Daniel Gaunt, who played in The Open at Turnberry in 2009, and Toby Tree, who made the cut at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Joseph Dodd-Berry, who caddied for his older brother Matthew at The Amateur Championship in 2024, will compete at Caldy with his own Final Qualifying hopes.#the_open #royal_birkdale #bearwood_lakes #caldy #kilmarnock_barassie
