Bryson DeChambeau breaks silence on quitting The Open after costly two-stroke penalty

Bryson DeChambeau has revealed whether he will play on at the 154th Open after receiving a two-stroke penalty.

DeChambeau received the penalty on day two of the coveted event after producing an impressive four-under second-round score of 66.

However, as he walked off the course, officials engaged in discussions over a potential rules infringement.

After a drawn-out discussion, DeChambeau was handed a two-shot penalty for trampling on long grass near his ball on the fifth hole.

The 32-year-old was adjudged to have broken Rule 8.1, which states: “To support the principle of ‘play the course as you find it,’ this Rule restricts what a player may do to improve any of these protected ‘conditions affecting the stroke’ (anywhere on or off the course) for the next stroke the player will make:

“The lie of the player’s ball at rest,

“The area of the player’s intended stance,

“The area of the player’s intended swing,

“The player’s line of play, and

“The relief area where the player will drop or place a ball.”

An animated debate followed, with the golfer appearing irate and frustrated at the officials’ decision.

“Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended backswing on the fifth hole when he was playing his second shot,” said Grant Moir, the R&A's executive director of governance.

"Rule 8.1 restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke, and this includes the area of the player's intended swing.

"So 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. I'll stress that this applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson's case."

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Bryson DeChambeau breaks silence on penalty

Later in the evening, concerns grew about DeChambeau’s participation, with reports claiming the American was unsure whether he would continue playing.

However, DeChambeau took to social media and seemingly confirmed he would carry on playing late on Friday.

He wrote on X: “Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it.”

Jon Rahm also risked a penalty, coming away with a warning after throwing his club in anger during the second round.

“I didn’t think about it until I saw him (the official) on 17, and when he was walking up to me,” Rahm, who is one shot behind DeChambeau, said.

“I shouldn’t have reacted that way, but I did.

“I mean, you guys are acting like it’s every single hole. I get it. I had a moment.”

Australia’s Lucas Herbert leads the field heading into day three after a record-equalling 62.