REACTION TO DECHAMBEAU’S TWO-STROKE PENALTY
Rory McIlroy giving his opinion on the Bryson DeChambeau two-stroke penalty at The 154th Open (Image: R&A Press Conference)
Player reaction to Bryson DeChambeau’s two-stroke penalty at the end of day two of The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
RORY MCILROY
“I was watching it live. I was up in the players’ lounge watching it with a few other players, and 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.
“Then when I heard that he was called in by the rules officials, I think we all - it was pretty obvious for why. I think there's no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing. Again, it's like, 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.
“Late night for everyone. Yeah, look, I won't pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I'm not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it is performative. I think a lot of it's for attention.
To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn't feel like it was a great look.
“Look, he's going to say - like, again, I'm not in his mind. I'm not in his - but it didn't look good.”
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER
“I was out practising. I was playing with him yesterday. I don't really have a ton to say on it. Actually, I do have a ton to say. I haven't decided exactly what I want to say publicly yet.
“I do have some thoughts. I just - I don't really feel like now is the time or place for me to comment. We're in the middle of a tournament, and I'm focused on what I need to do. I need to go out tomorrow and shoot a low round. I'm not really going to expand on it too much.
“I don't know. It's just a tough situation, I think. Like I said, I have a decent amount of thoughts, but probably nothing that I'm concerned with right now. Just feel like it's not a road I want to go down today. I have a tournament to focus on, and I'm going to go hit a few balls and hit a few putts. It's my job to go out there and shoot a low round tomorrow. Anything outside of that is outside my control.”
SHANE LOWRY
“Yeah, I mean, looks to me like he improved his lie, and that's the rules of golf. Yeah, it was interesting watching it last night. None of us were expecting it. I was watching the end of the golf - yeah, that's the rules of golf. It's unfortunate for him, but that's the way it is.
“I'm not going to stand here and say that much. It's not really much on me. Obviously, it is what it is. It happened. I see he's doing okay today. It was obviously going to be very tough for him to go out and play today after that happening, but yeah.
SAM BURNS
“I thought the fans were very supportive of Bryson today. We didn't discuss it any. In my personal opinion, I honestly feel bad for Bryson in the situation that he was in. From my perspective, I didn't feel like maybe there was enough evidence for him to deserve a penalty
there.
“I feel bad for him. I think he played an incredible round of golf late yesterday, and it's unfortunate to have something kind of like that where they come in after your round and tell you you're being docked two shots. But props to him. He came out and played a really nice round of golf today, and that takes a lot of grit to be able to come out and do that. So, I was impressed.
JON RAHM
“We were the group behind, so I was aware when we got to scoring. I can tell you, I've heard there's multiple angles. I've only seen the face-on one. So, I can't really give you an idea.
“For people who have seen all the images, I think the consensus is that, although it wasn't intentional, it was an infraction. That's what I understand, but I haven't seen. I guess there's a down the line shot that I haven't seen. I couldn't tell you. What I saw face-on to me wasn't enough for me to draw a conclusion. I wish I could tell you more. If you have the video, I'll see it, but I haven't seen it.