Bryson DeChambeau was penalized two shots during the second round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on Friday, and the governing body that made the call is not backing down.
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon told BBC Radio 5 Live that the decision was straightforward. "It was an unfortunate decision but really clear-cut from a rules perspective," Darbon said. DeChambeau, 32, was deemed to have trampled on long grass close to his ball on the fifth hole. The penalty cost him significantly. He had appeared to finish the round at seven under par, one shot off the lead, after shooting a four-under 66. The two-shot penalty pushed him back to five under, three shots behind Australian overnight leader Lucas Herbert.
There had been uncertainty Friday about whether DeChambeau would continue in the tournament. Darbon would not confirm whether the American had threatened to withdraw. "It's fair to say there was some emotion around that and we will keep some of the aspects of that discussion private," Darbon said. Later Friday, DeChambeau said the penalty would fire him up for the weekend, according to BBC Sport. He is scheduled to tee off at 15:30 BST on Saturday.
The situation drew attention beyond the golf world. DeChambeau has a close relationship with President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, Trump controversially asked FIFA to review a one-match suspension handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup. Darbon was asked in what BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter described as a light-hearted exchange whether Trump had called about the DeChambeau ruling.
"No. I have not received a call from President Trump and we will see what happens from here," Darbon said.
Darbon said he understood DeChambeau's frustration given the circumstances. "He has played a great round of golf, is in contention at a major championship, he wants to win the golf's original major," Darbon said. "We were focused on the ruling and making a fair assessment."
DeChambeau is a two-time US Open champion. He enters the weekend rounds at Royal Birkdale three shots off the lead.
