July 18, 2026 — 8:07amSouthport: Controversy has erupted at the British Open, with American star Bryson DeChambeau threatening to withdraw from the tournament after being hit with a two-shot penalty for “improving the area” of his intended backswing.After carding a four-under 66 on Friday, DeChambeau walked off the 18th green at Royal Birkdale in outright second on seven-under, behind Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who shot a record-equalling 62 to head to the weekend of action at eight-under.Bryson DeChambeau speaks with officials after his round on Friday at the British Open. XBut after signing his card, DeChambeau was approached by rules officials over an incident on the fifth hole earlier in the day.Playing his second shot from thick rough, television footage appeared to show DeChambeau walking around the area of his ball before taking his shot, with officials believing his actions improved the area where his club would swing. There was a suggestion he stamped down grass behind the ball.Although the ball itself never moved, the rules of golf prohibit players from improving the area of an intended stance or swing.Bryson DeChambeau of the United States and his agent Brett Falkoff on a controversial evening at the British Open. Getty ImagesA visibly frustrated DeChambeau was taken back to the fifth hole by officials, where he remonstrated with tournament staff and appeared to tell decision-makers he would not continue in the championship.Shortly afterwards, amid a crush of television cameras and waiting reporters, R&A rules official Grant Moir confirmed DeChambeau had been docked two shots.The penalty dropped him from seven-under to five-under, leaving him tied for fifth rather than outright second.“Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of intended backswing on fifth hole,” Moir told reporters.Grant Moir, Executive Director of Governance at The R&A, speaks to the media regarding a two-stoke penalty assessed against Bryson DeChambeau. Getty Images“Ruling one restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke and this includes the area of the player’s intended swing.“So an improvement means to alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke so that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke. Now, I’ll stress that this applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson’s case.”When asked by reporters as he walked away whether he would return for Saturday’s third round, DeChambeau stopped short of giving any assurance.He instead headed to the practice range, where he began hitting balls as darkness fell over Royal Birkdale. DeChambeau’s agent told reporters he would make a decision on Saturday morning whether he would continue playing.More to comeTom Decent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners