SOUTHPORT, England — There was still a buzz around Royal Birkdale on Saturday about the Bryson DeChambeau saga that played out late into the night Friday.
As tournament officials were sorting out the two-shot penalty assessed to DeChambeau for improving the lie of his ball, swing path and stance on the fifth hole of Friday’s second round, the release of Saturday’s tee times was delayed late into the evening, leaving players to wonder what was going on.
“I don’t have social media, so I was wondering why our tee times weren’t coming out at about 10:50 p.m. last night,’’ Xander Schauffele said.
“I’m assuming that (the DeChambeau kerfuffle) had something to do with it.’’
It did.
Schauffele and other players had mixed thoughts about whether DeChambeau should have been penalized the two shots.
“It’s a tough one,’’ Schauffele said. “I haven’t spoken to him or heard what he said, but he’s just stepping in how you’d normally step in to hit a golf shot. I think the R&A (governing body) said something along the lines of whether it’s intentional or not, it’s still a penalty.
“It’s a tough spot to be, obviously, when you’re in high brush, kind of having to dance around to get to your golf ball is a tricky thing,’’ Schauffele went on. “It’s not something we’re used to doing that often. You imagine you give him the benefit of the doubt. He said he didn’t do it intentionally, and it’s unfortunate that he got penalized because he was playing incredibly well and obviously he’s still playing incredibly well.
“So, he’s obviously going to have something to prove these next two days.’’
Russell Henley said he saw the video of DeChambeau appearing to stamp down the high grass.
“Clearly [the R&A] are [saying] he improved [the path of] his backswing,’’ Henley said.
“I don’t know what it looked like before he came back over there or if the bush came back up after he stepped on it. But yeah, that’s a tough one for him.’’
DeChambeau was about to sign for a 4-under-par 66 that moved him to 7-under for the tournament and into second place.
The penalty dropped him to 5-under par and in a tie for fifth as he began his third round Saturday.
“Every shot is so important,’’ Henley said. “It’s tough in the moment to take it. It’s unfortunate, but I think everybody should be held accountable for the same rules.’’
Henley added, “The issue with that to me is the fact that he’s on TV every shot. If I played that hole yesterday, you might not have seen (if) I did the same thing, [and] maybe they don’t penalize me because maybe they don’t see me do it.’’
Max Homa, after his round Saturday, said he “did not agree with the ruling.’’
“I’ve known Bryson for a very long time, and he’s an interesting human at times, but I know he would never cheat the game of golf,’’ Homa said. “I don’t really love how it happened. It’s not that the R&A said that he did it intentionally, but that rule as a professional golfer feels like it’s written inherently to protect against people trying to improve their lie.
“I just hope that people don’t create a narrative [of him cheating] because I don’t believe that of him. I just don’t think that’s in his character, so it’s a shame I think that’s kind of how it’s being portrayed to some.’’
Homa said DeChambeau was “right to be frustrated’’ at the ruling, which was displayed on camera as he had an animated discussion with R&A rules officials.
“He was one back and now he’s three,’’ Homa said. “I agree with him for being frustrated, especially I’m assuming that was not his intent. I understood the demonstrative nature and actions because it probably just feels a bit like an indictment.
“But the rules are complicated. It’s crazy. We’re hoping they made the right one. I’m sure he’ll use it in the right way and put a chip on his shoulder.’’
