DeChambeau penalty 'clear cut' says R&A chief

The R&A's chief executive, Mark Darbon, has affirmed that the two-stroke penalty issued to golfer Bryson DeChambeau during the British Open was a "clear-cut decision" from a rules perspective. DeChambeau incurred the penalty after officials ruled he had improved the area of his intended swing on the fifth hole during his second round.

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It was an unfortunate decision but really clear-cut from a rules perspective.

Footage showed DeChambeau stamping down on the long grass near where his tee shot had landed. Following his round, he was taken back to the spot with an official and engaged in a discussion before being informed of the penalty. Darbon emphasized that the ruling was made to ensure a fair assessment, acknowledging the emotional nature of such decisions in a major championship.

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No. I have not received a call from President Trump and we will see what happens from here.

Darbon also addressed speculation about potential influence from U.S. President Donald Trump, a known associate of DeChambeau. He confirmed he had not received any call from the President regarding the incident. "No. I have not received a call from President Trump and we will see what happens from here," Darbon stated.

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fired him up

Despite the setback, DeChambeau expressed resilience, posting on X that the penalty had "fired him up" for the remainder of the tournament. He is set to begin the third round three shots behind leader Lucas Herbert. Fellow American Russell Henley commented on the situation, suggesting that players with a lower profile might not have faced the same scrutiny, though he acknowledged DeChambeau's high visibility on television during every shot.

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The issue with that to me is the fact that he's on TV every shot. If I played that hole yesterday and I did the same thing, maybe they don't penalise me because maybe they don't see me do it. That's the tough part; he's on TV every single shot.