Bryson DeChambeau became involved in a new conflict with Open Championship officials on Saturday after concluding his third round with a 69, placing him four shots behind leader Sam Burns. The confrontation occurred just hours after golfer Rory McIlroy criticized DeChambeau for a rules infraction the previous day.
DeChambeau, 32, was observed in an animated discussion with R&A chief executive Mark Darbon at the tournament offices. Sources indicate that DeChambeau made an unusual request to be given his second-round scorecard, which was denied. The golfer's second-round score had been adjusted from a 66 to a 68 after he was penalized for inadvertently improving his lie on the fifth hole.
The golfer battled to remain in contention during the season's final major, with his one-under-par round bringing his total to six under par, tying him for sixth place. Ryan Fox is in second position after recording a 62.
During his third round, DeChambeau faced sporadic heckling from the crowd, with some spectators calling him a "cheat," referencing the incident that led to his two-stroke penalty on Friday. Despite the jeers, DeChambeau played to the crowds on the 18th hole before heading directly to meet with officials.
McIlroy, who is second in the world rankings, had earlier expressed his displeasure with DeChambeau's actions. He stated he was "not particularly fond" of DeChambeau and felt the American had held the tournament "hostage" with his initial threats to withdraw. "As soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other and we were like, 'That didn't seem right'," McIlroy said of the incident. "Then when I heard that he was called in by the rules officials, it was pretty obvious for why."
McIlroy added that he believed the two-shot penalty was justified. "I think there's no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing. Whether it was careless or whether it was intentional, I don't think it matters. Hopefully it was careless but I think the two-shot penalty was justified, for sure," he commented. McIlroy also noted the disruption caused by the saga, which delayed tee times for the rest of the field on Saturday.
