Bryson DeChambeau interacts with fans as he walks to the 15th tee during the third round of the British Open in Southport, England, on Saturday. | AFP-JIJI
REUTERS
Jul 19, 2026
While revealing that he’s not a fan of Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy said Saturday he had no doubt that the two-time major champion deserved to be penalized for improving “the area of his intended swing” in tall grass on the fifth hole at the British Open on Friday.
McIlroy, the two-time reigning Masters champion and a six-time major champion, was in the players’ lounge watching on TV with other golfers when DeChambeau stamped down on different patches of tall grass near his ball on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
“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. “Then when I heard that he was called in by the rules officials, I think it was pretty obvious for why.”
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