Did Bryson DeChambeau commit a penalty at Open Championship?

Bryson DeChambeau ended his second round at The Open Championship one shot off the lead. But a last-second rules adjustment might see him farther back when Round 3 comes around.

The two-time U.S. Open champion shot a 4-under 66 in Friday's Round 2 at Royal Birkdale, putting him at 7 under overall. The score is one stroke behind leader Lucas Herbert.

But after he finished the 18th hole along with Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton, DeChambeau was seen having an animated discussion with a rules official at The Open. According to the broadcast on USA Network, the debate was over how the LIV Golf star played his ball out of the fescue on the fifth hole.

That was the site of DeChambeau's only bogey on the day. After taking a stroke penalty on an errant drive out of play, his second attempt went right of the fairway and into the thick, tall grass. The ball was located, and DeChambeau helped trample down the grass surrounding the ball to give him a path to swing.

But rules officials said there was a question over whether in stepping toward his ball, DeChambeau caused the ball to move and improve his lie. DeChambeau and rules officials drove out to No. 5 to look over the scene. The golfer, known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, was in a tense discussion for several minutes.

Earlier vs. currently on the 5th hole

Bryson DeChambeau goes from setup to contact, while he explains his perspective on the incident with rules officials hours later pic.twitter.com/ORgImmdVka

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2026

If he is ruled to have committed an infraction, R&A rules official Charlie Maran said it would be a two-stroke penalty. That would drop DeChambeau from the final pairing down to 5 under, which would be tied for fifth with Sam Burns and Si Woo Kim.

How to watch The Open 2026

• Friday, July 17: NBCSN (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 18: USA Network (5-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)
• Sunday, July 19: USA Network (4-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-2 p.m.)
• Streaming:Peacock | Sling (for USA) | Fubo (for NBC)

Round 2 of the 2026 British Open broadcasts nationally on NBCSN starting at 1:30 a.m. July 17 before switching to USA Network at 4. Rounds 3 and 4 will start on USA at 5 a.m. July 18 and 4 a.m. July 19 before switching to NBC at 7 a.m. both days. Featured group and hole streaming is available on Peacock, NBCUniversal's subscription streaming service, throughout the tournament.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Did Bryson DeChambeau commit a penalty at Open Championship?