Open Drama Unfolds
DeChambeau Receives Two-Shot Penalty at The Open as Herbert, Burns Shoot Record 62s
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Key Points
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R&A CEO Mark Darbon joined the recorder’s discussion over DeChambeau’s infringement, signaling the high level of scrutiny given to the ruling.
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The incident centered on Rule 811, with officials saying a player must take the least intrusive action and cannot improve the area of the intended swing; tamping down grass behind the ball was treated as affecting the stroke.
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DeChambeau’s score was amended from 66 to 68 after the penalty, dropping him from near the top to a tie for fifth on the leaderboard.
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Following the ruling, DeChambeau argued with officials and then headed to the practice range, choosing not to engage with media during the moment of frustration.
Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns both shot 62s on Friday at Royal Portrush, tying the all-time major championship scoring record, according to Hartford Courant. The fireworks didn't stop there — Bryson DeChambeau was hit with a two-shot penalty after his round, turning a 66 into a 68 and dropping him from near the top of the leaderboard into a tie for fifth.
DeChambeau's penalty drew intense scrutiny. R&A CEO Mark Darbon himself joined officials in reviewing the incident, a sign of how seriously the governing body took the ruling, Head Topics reported. The penalty left DeChambeau three shots behind Herbert and clearly frustrated.
DeChambeau's Two-Shot Penalty Reshapes the Leaderboard
The trouble started on the fifth hole. Officials ruled that DeChambeau improved the area of his intended backswing — a violation of Rule 8-1-1. The rule says a player must take the least intrusive action possible. Tamping down grass behind the ball, even accidentally, counts as improving the swing area, according to NBC Sports.
His adjusted score dropped him from seven-under to five-under, according to Freedom 96.9. He went from solo second place to a tie for fifth, three shots off the lead. After arguing with officials, DeChambeau walked straight to the practice range. He did not speak to reporters.
Herbert Ties Major Record, Just Misses Making History Alone
Lucas Herbert's 62 was as close to perfect as it gets. The Australian nearly made it even better. He missed a short par putt late in the round that would have given him a 61 — a score that has never been shot in a major championship, Hartford Courant reported.
Still, Herbert said he was proud of the round. Shooting 62 ties the lowest score ever recorded in a major. He finished at the top of the leaderboard, three shots clear of DeChambeau after the penalty was applied.
Burns Didn't Know He'd Tied the Record Until It Was Over
Sam Burns had no idea what he had done. The American finished his round with a bunker shot and back-to-back birdies, Hartford Courant reported. Only after walking off the course did he learn he had matched the all-time major record with his 62. It was a stunning round that came as a surprise even to the man who shot it.
Burns and Herbert now stand as co-holders of the major championship single-round record. Two players tying the mark on the same day made Friday at Royal Portrush one of the most remarkable days in Open Championship history.
Rahm's Club Toss Adds to Day's Mounting Drama
Bryson DeChambeau wasn't the only player in trouble on Friday. Jon Rahm received an official conduct warning from the R&A after throwing his club following a bad tee shot, Head Topics reported. Club throwing is not penalized with strokes, but the R&A issued the formal warning to put Rahm on notice.
Between DeChambeau's penalty, threats of withdrawal, and Rahm's warning, the second round at Royal Portrush produced as much drama off the ball as on it. The leaderboard heading into the weekend has Herbert and Burns at the top, with DeChambeau lurking three shots back at five-under, according to Nine.
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