Max Homa backs Bryson DeChambeau after Open penalty

Max Homa came out swinging for Bryson DeChambeau on Saturday after The R&A gave DeChambeau a two-shot penalty at The Open for improving the space where he intended to swing.

The ruling centered on DeChambeau’s second shot at the fifth hole during Friday’s second round in Southport, England. The R&A said the penalty applied because DeChambeau improved “the area of his intended swing” before playing from native grass.

Homa, speaking to reporters after a 3-under 67 in the third round, said he disagreed with how the situation played out and pushed back against any suggestion that DeChambeau acted dishonestly.

“All I know is I've known Bryson for a very long time, and he's an interesting human at times, but I know he would never cheat the game of golf,” Homa said. He added that the rule, as he understands it as a professional golfer, is designed to stop players from improving their lie.

Homa said he hoped the penalty would not create a wider impression about DeChambeau, saying he did not believe that was who DeChambeau is.

The ruling that changed DeChambeau’s round

Television replays showed DeChambeau walking into the native area to play his tee shot. As he took several high steps, the tall fescue behind his ball appeared to flatten.

Grant Moir, The R&A’s executive director of governance, said in a Friday statement that the rule still applies when the action is accidental. Moir said that was the case with DeChambeau.

DeChambeau was informed of the penalty only after finishing what he thought was a 4-under 66. That score would have left him one shot behind 36-hole leader Lucas Herbert.

After the round, DeChambeau went back to the native area to the right of the fifth fairway with R&A officials. ESPN reported that the two-time U.S. Open champion reenacted his swing and argued his position before returning to the scoring area.

The penalty changed his score on the fifth from a bogey 5 to a triple-bogey 7. His second-round total moved from 7 under to 5 under.

Other players weigh in

Homa said he had seen only one replay angle, but that the movement did not look intentional to him. He compared the issue to calling out a junior golfer for stomping around a ball, saying that was not what he saw from DeChambeau.

Russell Henley, who also watched replays, described the situation as difficult for DeChambeau. Henley said all players should be held to the same rules, while noting that DeChambeau’s every shot is televised, which can make video review a factor in ways it may not be for every player.

Xander Schauffele said he had not yet spoken with DeChambeau, but did not see anything unusual in the replay. Schauffele said DeChambeau looked as if he was stepping in normally to play a shot from thick grass.

Schauffele also said the situation was awkward because players are not often forced to work their way through high brush to reach a ball.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.