Bryson DeChambeau believes he would have been "right there for the Claret Jug" without a two-shot penalty at the Open Championship last week at Royal Birkdale. After opening with a 67 and 66, his second-round score was adjusted to 68 when officials ruled he improved his backswing area by flattening long grass at the fifth hole. The penalty dropped him from second to fifth, turning a bogey into a triple bogey.

DeChambeau protested and threatened to withdraw but played through, finishing six shots behind winner Ryan Fox at four under. He later said: "Two holes and I'm right there for the Claret Jug." The tied 14th-place finish marked his best major result since runner-up at the 2025 PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy criticized DeChambeau's animated complaint, calling it "performative" and saying he was "keeping the tournament hostage." Scottie Scheffler declined to engage in personal jabs, stating his biggest rivalry is "the golf course."