Rory McIlroy Rips Bryson DeChambeau After Controversial Penalty at The Open

Published: Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 5:41 pm

Rory McIlroy has voiced strong criticism of fellow golfer Bryson DeChambeau following a controversial penalty incident that impacted the second round of The Open. DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty on the fifth hole after officials determined he had improved the area of his backswing in a section of tall fescue. This ruling transformed what would have been a bogey into a triple bogey, significantly affecting his position on the leaderboard.

McIlroy, speaking after his second-round play, stated that he believed DeChambeau did indeed improve his backswing line. He emphasized that whether the action was careless or intentional, the penalty was justified. The golfer further commented on DeChambeau's subsequent heated exchange with officials, which he noted caused delays for other players regarding their weekend tee times, describing it as a "late night for everyone."

McIlroy was candid about his personal feelings towards DeChambeau, admitting he is "not particularly fond of him" and suggesting that much of DeChambeau's behavior is "performative" and "for attention." He expressed disapproval of DeChambeau's actions, stating that holding the tournament "hostage" and causing delays for players, volunteers, and others was "not a great look."

This is not the first time McIlroy has publicly shared his opinions on DeChambeau or related golf matters. He has previously commented on the financial stability of LIV Golf, a circuit where DeChambeau is a prominent figure. McIlroy himself has had a successful year, winning his second consecutive Masters Tournament and achieving a career grand slam in golf last year. While McIlroy won The Open in 2014, DeChambeau is a more recent champion of the event, having secured victories in 2020 and 2024. Heading into the weekend, DeChambeau found himself in a three-way tie for fifth place, while McIlroy made the cut but was further down the leaderboard, facing a significant challenge to climb closer to the leader.

BNN's Perspective: The exchange between McIlroy and DeChambeau highlights the ongoing tensions and differing perspectives within professional golf. While rules are in place to ensure fair play, the interpretation and application of those rules, as well as the ensuing player reactions, can create significant drama and debate. McIlroy's directness, while perhaps blunt, reflects a sentiment that competitive integrity should not be overshadowed by individual theatrics. The focus now shifts to how both players will perform in the remainder of the tournament amidst these public comments.

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, The Open, penalty, R&A, backswing, fescue, leaderboard, LIV Golf, Masters Tournament, career grand slam, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Lucas Herbert, Si Woo Kim, Sam Burns

Full Story