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
