Bryson DeChambeau is continuing his antics at the British Open.
During the the tournament’s third round Saturday, DeChambeau decided to poke fun at the officials following his controversial situation with a two-stroke penalty Friday.
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DeChambeau’s tee shot on the 18th hole ended up in the rough, and while approaching the ball, he starting making very animated motions in reference to not wanting to do anything that might improve his lie — which led to his penalty during the second round and his threat to not golf Saturday.
He later called over a walking official to notify them that his ball moved slightly, but it was not due to anything he did so he did not deserve a penalty.
DeChambeau’s actions come after he had a fiery altercation with with Grant Moir, the R&A executive director of governance, after being hit the penalty for improving his lie on the fifth hole during Friday’s play.
Bryson DeChambeau jokes with fans about stepping on a balll in the rough on the 18th hole during the third round of The Open Championship on July 18, 2026 at Royal Birkdale. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After driving in a golf cart with Moir back to where he committed the penalty, cameras caught DeChambeau flailing his arms around and shaking his head in disagreement.
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The cameras also appeared to show DeChambeau telling the rules officials, “I’m not going to play tomorrow.’’
Fellow golfer Rory McIlroy, who is also competing in the British Open, slammed DeChambeau for his actions, saying that he held the tournament “hostage” while arguing the stroke penalty.
Bryson DeChambeau reacts to nearly making a long putt on the 16 hole
during the third round of The Open Championship golf tournament at
Royal Birkdale. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
McIlroy also agreed with the rules officials, saying that something looked off when DeChambeau committed the penalty.
“I was watching it live, I was up in the players’ lounge with a few of the other players,” he said. “As soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other and were like, ‘That didn’t seem right.’ When I heard that he’d been pulled in by the rules officials, I think it was obvious for why.
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“I think there’s no doubt he improved the line of his backswing, whether it was careless or if it was intentional, it doesn’t matter, hopefully was careless. I think the two-shot penalty was justified.”
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