EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSOUTHPORT, England - The R&A assessed Bryson DeChambeau a two-stroke penalty following his second round in the 164th Open Championship for allegedly improving his lie in the tall grass before his second shot on the fifth hole.DeChambeau had moved into solo second at 7 under, one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert, after carding a 4-under 66 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.The two-stroke penalty dropped him into a tie for fifth at 5 under. His score was changed on The Open's official website and on a leaderboard in the media center.The R&A's executive director of governance Grant Moir said in a statement that DeChambeau was penalized two strokes "for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing, so intended backswing on the 5th hole when he was playing his second shot."The statement added: "An improvement means to alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke so that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke. Now, I'll stress that this applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson's case."When DeChambeau initially approached his ball in the native area on the fifth hole, he took several high steps, and it appeared the tall fescue grass behind his ball lay down as a result.DeChambeau didn't address the penalty when he was asked about the situation by a reporter after he signed his scorecard."Bryson, what happened out there?" a reporter asked him."I played great, actually," DeChambeau said. "Are you guys having a good night? I'm going to hit some golf balls."DeChambeau was approached by R&A rules officials in a golf cart parking area before signing his scorecard. When he was informed of the potential rule violation, he threw his arms in the air and said, "I didn't do anything!"The two-time U.S. Open champion rode back to the area of the native grass on the right side of the fifth fairway where his 257-yard drive landed. He reenacted his swing for R&A rules officials and at one point put his hand to his head in frustration.After about 20 minutes, DeChambeau returned to the scoring tent and continued to meet with rules officials.
