DeChambeau thought he had climbed to within one shot of the lead with a birdie-birdie finish to his second round.But with dark descending on the Southport links on Friday night, the American was handed a two-stroke penalty for "inadvertently improving" his lie as he addressed his second shot at the fifth hole.DeChambeau appeared to trample down long grass as he addressed his ball for a practice swing.The two-time US Open champion travelled back to the site of the incident with a rules official after completing his round and Sky Sports reported he had even threatened to withdraw from the tournament.However, DeChambeau is back for the weekend after making the cut for the first time at a major this year."Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don't agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let's get it," DeChambeau, who avoided interviews after his second round, posted on social media.Mark Darbon, Chief executive of tournament organisers the R&A, said the decision was "really clear-cut from a rules perspective."Darbon refused to confirm whether DeChambeau had suggested he could pull out of the final two rounds.
Rory McIlroy's eagle at the ninth enlivened his third round © Ben STANSALL / AFP
