Key background
On the par-4 fifth hole of The Open on Friday, DeChambeau’s drive left his ball in thick rough with a difficult recovery shot. As he assessed the ball, television footage showed he repeatedly stepped on grass and shuffled his feet behind the ball, flattening the terrain in the area where his backswing would pass. Officials later said he’d unintentionally improved the “conditions affecting the stroke” by creating a clearer swing path, and gave him a two-shot penalty, turning the hole from a bogey 5 into a triple-bogey 7. The penalty changed his second-round score from 66 to 68, and dropped him from one shot off the lead to three back.
Read more Darline Graham’s Political Views Largely Unknown As She Launches Senate Campaign
BIG NUMBER
Two hours. After it became clear the penalty wouldn’t be overturned, that’s how long DeChambeau left the media and his fellow golfers waiting before announcing he would continue in the tournament. His procrastination delayed the release of third-round tee times until nearly 11 p.m., and he didn’t announce he’d keep playing until almost midnight.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“Yeah, look, I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him,” DeChambeau’s rival Rory McIlroy said on Friday. “I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention. To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look.”
Read more How Trump Could Profit From Fast-Tracked Rebrand Of Palm Beach’s Airport
TANGENT
DeChambeau has a longstanding friendship with Trump that dates back to early in his career. In 2020, Trump’s son Eric Trump hosted a party for DeChambeau at the Trump National Golf Club following his victory in the U.S. Open. DeChambeau and Trump have played rounds together at Trump-owned courses and their relationship became especially visible in 2024, when they filmed themselves for the viral “Break 50” YouTube golf challenge at Trump National in Bedminster. The video has 17 million views. DeChambeau has described Trump as a friend and the president has repeatedly complimented the golfer’s talent and personality. DeChambeau endorsed Trump during the 2024 presidential election cycle and now serves on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
FORBES VALUATION
DeChambeau, 32, is ranked by Forbes as the fourth highest-paid golfer in the world with an estimated $52 million earned last year. He’s playing for and captaining a team in the floundering LIV Golf league, but his contract is nearing expiration and he’s suggested he’ll transition to being a full-time content creator if an agreement cannot be reached. His YouTube channel boasts 2.7 million subscribers and his videos golfing with Adam Sandler and Stephen Curry have gone viral.
Read more Paramount Suffers Major Early Blow In Merger Lawsuit—And Billion-Dollar Losses Could Lie Ahead
further reading
ForbesLIV Golf Loses Saudi Arabia Funding—Effectively Ending PGA Rival, Report SaysBy Antonio Pequeño IVForbesLIV Golf Seeks $250 Million Lifeline As Costs Continue To ClimbBy Tim CorlettForbesHere’s How Much LIV Golf Paid Its Players—As The Saudis Yank FundingBy Mary Whitfill Roeloffs