Updated July 18, 2026 — By The Nonstop News Staff
Brandel Chamblee reacted strongly after Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty at The Open, a sanction tournament officials applied hours after the round following review of fan-shot video. The late ruling dropped DeChambeau from second place and became a central talking point as the field moved into the weekend.
What happened at The Open
DeChambeau originally posted a 66 and was in second place before tournament officials announced a two-stroke penalty tied to his play on the par-4 fifth hole. Officials said the penalty arose from actions they concluded improved the player’s lie in thick fescue behind his ball.
The decision was not handed down on the course while play was ongoing. After DeChambeau finished his round, officials brought him back to the fifth hole to examine the area in question and review evidence before assessing the penalty.
How officials used fan video
Tournament organizers said a fan video circulating on social media prompted a review of the shot. According to officials, the footage was among the materials they examined while determining whether a rules breach had occurred. Because committees can consider available evidence when adjudicating a potential breach, bystander footage has in recent years become part of post-round reviews; see governing-body guidance on rules and evidence for context.
The late timing — after the completion of the round — led to immediate debate among fans and broadcasters about the use of bystander video to alter scores once a player has left the course. The Open’s rules office typically posts explanations when high-profile rulings change scores; observers are watching for any formal explanation from the tournament.
Brandel Chamblee criticism
Brandel Chamblee, a long-time golf analyst, criticized DeChambeau during post-round coverage. Chamblee said the episode was “really hard to stomach” and described DeChambeau’s actions around the ball, stating, “He just danced all over the path behind the golf ball … He did everything but take a weed wacker to the tall grass.” Those remarks were made as part of on-air commentary and reflect Chamblee’s opinion.
Chamblee also placed the incident in the context of his public, years-long dispute with DeChambeau and the player’s move to LIV Golf, calling some of the conduct “childish” and saying DeChambeau had “signed up for this” by joining the rival circuit. Separately, Chamblee repeated a past social-media characterization of DeChambeau as a “puppet for a murderous dictator.” That phrase is a pointed political opinion Chamblee has expressed in the past; reporters and editors treat it as the analyst’s view rather than an independently established fact.
Impact on DeChambeau and the leaderboard
The two-stroke penalty altered DeChambeau’s official score and removed him from the second-place spot he held after shooting 66. The change tightened the chasing pack and reshaped who entered the weekend with momentum.
After the ruling, coverage shows DeChambeau in a heated exchange with a rules official; at one point he appeared to tell an official he might not play the next day. That exchange has been described in reports as an appearance rather than a confirmed withdrawal, and neither DeChambeau nor tournament organizers immediately issued a statement confirming a decision to withdraw.
What comes next
The Open’s rules office is expected to publish a formal statement or ruling note clarifying the basis for the penalty and summarizing the evidence reviewed. In incidents where post-round video is a factor, governing bodies often post explanatory material describing the committee’s findings and any procedural steps taken.
Fans and media will also watch for any appeal or further review. Appeals in such cases are uncommon but possible if a player’s representatives believe there was an error in the committee’s interpretation of the facts. Observers will be looking for comment from DeChambeau’s camp and any clarifying language from tournament officials that explains timing, the video reviewed and the specific rule applied.
Context and reaction
The late penalty lands amid ongoing debate over rules enforcement, the role of social media footage in officiating and tensions between prominent figures in the game. Chamblee’s blunt response reflects broader friction in golf commentary and will likely draw renewed attention to both DeChambeau’s on-course behavior and how governing bodies use bystander video.
Some broadcasters and fans argue that relying on fan-shot footage creates potential inconsistency in enforcement; others say committees are obligated to act when credible evidence shows a possible breach, regardless of when it surfaces. Former players and officials who follow rules administration note that transparency — a clear explanation of evidence and reasoning — is critical to maintaining trust in decisions that affect scores after play ends.
Expect debate to continue through the weekend as the leaderboard evolves and officials publish any formal explanations.
Sources: Original reporting by Fox News and tournament materials. Read the Fox News report: Fox News. For official rulings and rules guidance, see The Open: theopen.com/news and governing-body rules information: R&A rules.
