Bryson DeChambeau Still in The Open Contention After Penalty

Two‑Shot Penalty Alters DeChambeau’s Position

DeChambeau received a two‑shot penalty on the fifth hole after officials judged he improved his backswing area during his second‑round shot. The penalty moved him from a one‑shot deficit behind leader Lucas Herbert to three‑shot behind, dropping his standing heading into the third round. The decision sparked an immediate reaction from the two‑time major champion.

DeChambeau’s Social‑Media Response

On X, DeChambeau posted a four‑line message expressing disappointment while also saying the ruling “fires me up.” He added a caption on Instagram that simply reads “Onto the weekend…” and shared several images, some of which poked fun at the controversy. Earlier he threatened to quit The Open but later confirmed he would remain at Royal Birkdale for the weekend. His public stance reflects a mix of frustration and motivation heading into the final rounds.

Match‑Up with Sam Burns at Royal Birkdale

DeChambeau will tee off alongside fellow American Sam Burns in the third round, a pairing that adds extra intrigue to the struggle at Royal Birkdale. Burns is hunting his first major title, while DeChambeau aims to extend his résumé with a historic victory. The two players bring different pressures: Burns seeks his maiden breakthrough, DeChambeau chases a rare feat in modern golf.

Historic Opportunity After Early‑Season Misses

According to Justin Ray, no player in the modern era has missed the cut in the first three majors—The Masters, the PGA Championship and the US Open—then gone on to win the fourth. DeChambeau falls into that category after failing to make the weekend at those events earlier this year. A win at The Open would not only give him a fourth major but also mark a unique turnaround in his season. Whether the controversy fuels his play or hampers him remains to be seen as the field converges on Southport.