Kevin Kisner, NBC's lead golf analyst, has expressed strong disapproval of the two-stroke penalty assessed to Bryson DeChambeau during the British Open, arguing that relying on camera footage to make such rulings is unfair.
Speaking on the "Fore Play Podcast," Kisner contended that penalties should not be applied retroactively based on what is captured by cameras, especially when walking officials are present. He questioned the fairness of punishing a player based on camera angles that might not capture the full context or similar actions by other, less-televised players.
"I have a really hard time going back after rounds to penalize people based on them being on camera," Kisner stated. "I don’t know if anybody else hit it over there, and if Jose Ballester hit it over there and did the same exact freaking thing, he’s not on camera and we’re not giving him a penalty, right?"
Kisner's frustration stems from the incident on the fifth hole, where R&A officials determined DeChambeau had illegally improved his lie in the high grass. The penalty, which was reportedly accidental, turned DeChambeau's bogey into a triple-bogey, dropping him from a tie for the lead to tied for fifth. He ultimately finished the tournament tied for 14th.
The R&A's executive director of governance, Grant Moir, clarified the ruling, stating, "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." Moir emphasized that this rule applies even when the action is accidental.
The incident divided opinions among golfers, with some supporting DeChambeau and others, like Rory McIlroy, criticizing him for allegedly disrupting the tournament's pace. Kisner's comments highlight a broader debate within golf regarding the application of rules and the influence of broadcast technology on officiating.