Should Bryson DeChambeau have been penalized at the Open?
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The IR&A assessed Bryson DeChambeau two penalties after his second round at the Open “inadvertently improved his intended swing” on the fifth hole. DeChambeau pleaded guilty but was arrested twice, singled out the second time and tied for the fifth time. Should Bryson have been punished? And was there anything Bryson could do to change their minds? What do you think of his reaction and where does he go from here?
Jessica Marksbury, editor-in-chief (@jess_marksbury): Judging by the videos I've seen, I think Bryson deserves the benefit of the doubt. It doesn't appear that he was intentionally crawling, removing the grass behind the ball or “improving” his lie in any way. To me, it looked like Bryson handled this photo like any other professional. His reaction to the punishment, although worse if he follows through with not playing in protest, makes sense: He feels that he has been treated unfairly – and a dark stain on his character – and responds accordingly. I can't say I blame him for his feelings, but I hope he is the will play and try to win this tournament anyway.
As an aside, I have to say that I also find this deep analysis of lies and player behavior in the milliseconds before a shot is fired to be kind of annoying. Golf is supposed to be a game of personal integrity, and to take the microscope to alleged crimes like this – where it is almost impossible for us at home to say what happened, and when hours have passed since the first incident and there is a lot of doubt – it seems to be disrespectful all around.
Jake Morrow, gear content manager (@madefortherange): It wasn't even supposed to be a conversation. The lie itself was no better. Bryson came in and circled to get/see the ball, stepped behind the ball to see his line (as he would on any normal shot), and didn't make any major effort to step on the grass or intentionally create a lane. The pictures don't show the actual ball, but the spot where he hit the ball has not been changed. They wanted to know what they were thinking about going to the place. It was clear that they had made up their minds before going there. I hope it serves as motivation for the weekend. It is a bold strategy; we will see if it pays off.
The idea that a player going through his normal shot routine with his caddy could result in a penalty is insane. Even worse is being told multiple times throughout the conversation that they admit it was an accident. So they admit that he didn't do anything on purpose, but they still throw a fine? How? The real question here is what exactly would they like him to do in his place? Does his caddy lift him on his shoulders above the ball so he can see? All this being said, he needs to play this weekend and fight for the win. If he announces tomorrow that he won't play, I'll happily switch sides of my Bryson love/hate position right now.
Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): I'm all for giving DeChambeau the benefit of the doubt about his intentions. But the rules are the rules, and it looks pretty clear in the video that he stepped into the long grass behind his ball, making it easier to make a backswing. Bryson's reaction seemed to make perfect sense at the time. He was understandably upset. But he says now he might not play this weekend? That's young, take-my-ball-and-go-home-school. The correct response from DeChambeau would be—I think you guys are doing this wrong, and I'm going to win anyway.
Nick Piastowski, editor-in-chief (@nickpia): Yes, DeChambeau should have been punished, based on what the R&A explained about what happened at FescueGate. “Bryson was penalized two strokes for improving his intended swing, so he intended to go back on the 5th hole when he played his second shot,” said Grant Moir, R&A executive director, administration. The question is: which video did the officials watch? The USA Network video did not show the ball, so, at least for viewers, it was not clear which “area he was intended to swing to”. I'd also like to hear what DeChambeau has to say, of course. Maybe come Saturday. It is possible. At the very least, this is all very interesting.
Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): I think I have just one question for the R&A, because this is a big decision at a big time in a game where the participants are used to calling their mistakes and the evidence seems to be less than the edge …
Are you sure?
Josh Schrock, news editor (@schrock_and_awe): I'm with Nick. According to the letter of the law in Rule 8.1a, Bryson committed a violation. You are not allowed to “move, bend or break any natural growing object” in a way that might improve the target swing position (reverse, lower or end the stroke), whether on purpose or not. It's a big call for the R&A, but as a game manager, I think it's the right call to protect the sport and the field. These penalties should be more pronounced on the PGA Tour, but they aren't. Bryson broke the law as written. I understand his frustration and his argument, but the law is the law. I will say that his threat to not play the rest of the tournament is ridiculous and empty. He will play. He is a big player and he shoots threes from the front. There is so much that children do when they threaten to not do something, hoping that the threat of their absence will change hearts and minds. Just put it together and try and win your third medal.
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