SerpApi.Org
16-time PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas called out the Open Championship as the professionals waited for third-round tee times amid a Bryson DeChambeau golf ruling.
DeChambeau was dealt a controversial two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale. The two-time U.S. Open champion seemed to have stepped back to matt down the grass in his backswing following his tee shot, but he argued that he was reading his shot by standing directly behind the ball.
The ruling took over an hour and a half since DeChambeau sank the final putt on 18, but with the sun winding down and tour stars ready for bed, tee times have yet to be announced. Meanwhile, DeChambeau showed his true colors with actions immediately after the two-shot Open penalty.
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“Can we get some 3rd round tee times please???” wrote Thomas on X at 10:38 p.m. in Southport, England.
The comment came as officials and DeChambeau decided that the two-time U.S. Open champion should be dealt a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie, as the LIV Golf star now threatens to withdraw from the tournament due to the unfair ruling.
According to Fried Egg Golf’s Kevin Van Valkenburg, DeChambeau will wait till the morning to decide if he wants to continue competing in the final major of the men’s season.
“Bryson’s agent is saying Bryson is 100 percent serious that he is not sure he will play tomorrow. Plans to make the decision in the morning. ‘He’s a lot of things. He’s not a cheater.’” wrote Valkenburg.
“Bryson’s agent says Bryson has until his tee time tomorrow to decide if he’s playing or not. He’ll make the decision alone, not his team. ‘He’s a big boy. He’ll see how he feels. But he certainly feels he was unfairly penalized.’”
The frustration comes after DeChambeau failed to make the cut at the first three majors of the season, receiving criticism from many, including Sir Nick Faldo, who claimed he had "zero clue of strategy."
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DeChambeau carded a four-under-66 on Friday before the two-stroke penalty and a three-under during the first round, and the rules breach seemed to anger the player after he rode back on the cart with rules officials adjusting his hat and continuing to chat about the rule on the ride back.
He was in the recording tent for a while after recreating the shot, and the R&A officially issued the penalty.
“Ruling 1 restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke,” said Grant Moir with the R&A.
“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.”
Later, DeChambeau broke his silence on The Open punishment and his quitting threat.
