# Bryson DeChambeau Open penalty controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bryson-dechambeau-open-penalty-controversy
> Updated: 2026-08-06T22:29:44.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In July 2026, Bryson DeChambeau’s two‑stroke penalty at the 2024 British Open sparked a debate over the use of television replays to enforce rules. Former PGA Tour player Kevin Kisner, speaking on the "Fore Play" podcast, argued that penalising players after rounds based on broadcast footage could create an uneven playing field, especially for those without TV coverage. R&A executive director Grant Moir affirmed that the rule applies even when the improvement is accidental.

By early August 2026, the fallout had intensified. At a LIV Golf event in New York, DeChambeau reacted angrily to a poor start, throwing a plastic bottle on the 5th tee. During the second round of The Open at Royal Birkdale, the same penalty dropped him to a tie for 14th and cost him nearly $280,000 in earnings. He briefly threatened to involve U.S. President Donald Trump, though no intervention occurred. The episode highlighted ongoing tensions between traditional officiating, modern broadcast technology, and player responses to rule enforcement.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Bryson DeChambeau's outburst and Open penalty cost him $280,000

Bryson DeChambeau threw a bottle after a poor start at LIV Golf New York and later took a two‑shot penalty at The Open, losing about $280,000 in prize money.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bryson-dechambeaus-outburst-and-open-penalty-cost-him-280000

### 2026-07-21: Kevin Kisner Criticizes Bryson DeChambeau's British Open Penalty

Bryson DeChambeau was penalized two strokes at the British Open, prompting NBC analyst Kevin Kisner to criticize the use of TV replays for rule enforcement.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kevin-kisner-criticizes-bryson-dechambeaus-british-open-penalty

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Cite as: Bryson DeChambeau Open penalty controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bryson-dechambeau-open-penalty-controversy