Bryson DeChambeau Penalized Two Strokes at The Open

Bryson DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty during the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, hurting his chances in the tournament. The penalty came after he was found to have violated a rule by trampling down grass behind his ball on the fifth hole. The incident occurred after his round, when officials called him back to the course to assess the penalty. DeChambeau was reportedly upset about the decision. The penalty added two strokes to his score for that hole, which impacted his overall performance. The rules violation stemmed from an action that is not permitted under golf's regulations. The Open Championship is one of golf's major tournaments, and such penalties are rare but can be significant. DeChambeau had been playing well in the second round before the penalty. The incident added drama to the evening at Royal Birkdale. The full impact of the penalty on his final standing will be determined as the tournament continues. Golf's governing bodies enforce strict rules to ensure fair play, and players are expected to know and follow them. DeChambeau's penalty serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the rules, even in the heat of competition.