McIlroy Accuses DeChambeau of Holding Open Hostage After 2-Stroke Penalty
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 18
McIlroy Accuses DeChambeau of Holding Open Hostage After 2-Stroke Penalty
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 18
Summary
Rory McIlroy said Bryson DeChambeau "held the tournament hostage" after a two-stroke penalty at Royal Birkdale triggered prolonged talks with R&A officials and delayed Saturday tee times.
The sanction came after DeChambeau was judged to have inadvertently improved his lie near the fifth hole, turning a second-round 66 from seven under to five under and dropping him from one off the lead to three back.
McIlroy said the penalty was justified because video showed DeChambeau improving his backswing line, adding that golf is largely self-policed unless there is obvious evidence.
R&A chief Mark Darbon called the ruling "clear-cut" and would not say whether DeChambeau threatened to withdraw; DeChambeau later posted that he disagreed with the decision but would use it as motivation.