Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee has strongly criticized golfer Bryson DeChambeau after the latter received a two-stroke penalty during The Open Championship. Officials determined DeChambeau had improved his lie on the fifth hole by trampling down thick fescue behind his ball.
The penalty was assessed hours after DeChambeau had finished his second round, during which he had initially posted a 66 and was in second place. Officials reviewed a fan video circulating on social media and then investigated the incident on the course.
During a television commentary, Chamblee described DeChambeau's actions as multiple infractions, stating, "He did everything but take a weed wacker to the tall grass." Chamblee further commented on DeChambeau's reaction, saying, "It is really hard to stomach the silliness that we've seen here from Bryson. You accept this like a man. You look at the evidence and you're like, 'You're right. I did break the rule.'"
Chamblee also suggested DeChambeau's behavior, including practicing late at night, was "childish" and "immature," and potentially "performative to get the world to talk about him all night."
The long-standing public disagreement between Chamblee and DeChambeau has been a recurring theme in golf. Chamblee has been a vocal critic of DeChambeau since the latter joined LIV Golf, previously tweeting that DeChambeau signed on "to be a puppet for a murderous dictator and to play a tour that does not value the best conditioned courses, but those that will hold events for a murderous dictator."
DeChambeau did not immediately agree with the official's penalty decision and was seen in a heated conversation with a rules official. The controversial penalty is expected to remain a topic of discussion throughout the third round of the tournament.