Petulant reaction to a justified two-stroke penalty at the Open illustrates why the American is happier on the LIV tour

The potential for stigma was laid bare close to the conclusion of Saturday at the Open Championship. “Bryson, ya cheat,” a lone voice bellowed from the stand adjacent to Royal Birkdale’s 18th green. This is an environment in which being unfaithful to one’s spouse would be seen as preferable to breaching the sacred rules of a sacred game.

By Sunday the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, was riding to the defence of Bryson DeChambeau. “I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a lot of things, but he’s definitely not a cheater,” Scheffler said. Except in this case, nuance is required. No one in authority has actually accused DeChambeau of cheating for the incident which incurred a two-stroke penalty. The R&A’s executive director of governance stipulated that DeChambeau’s action when breaching the rules during round two was “accidental”.

• DeChambeau given two-stroke penalty after his second round

• Golfer alleged to have used US president’s name during row

Bryson DeChambeau has been accused of threatening to call Donald Trump during a row with senior R&A officials on Friday after the American golfer was handed a two-shot penalty at the Open.

DeChambeau’s alleged use of the US president’s name as he argued his case marks the latest bizarre turn in what was already the dominant story of the 2026 Open. DeChambeau was handed a two-stroke penalty for improving the line of his swing by standing on long grass behind his ball on Royal Birkdale’s fifth hole during round two. The 32-year-old argued his case furiously, including insisting upon returning to the scene of the incident with the R&A’s head of governance and a senior referee.

• Fox sinks winning putt on 18th for first major title

• ‘It’s going to be big back home in New Zealand’

Ryan Fox has said he had no ­sensation in his hands as he hit the winning putt in the 154th Open Cham­pionship. Fox, who claimed his first major title, became the first New Zealander since Bob Charles in 1963 to win the Open. He did so in dramatic style, with a birdie putt on the final hole sufficient for a 68 and 10-under-par total which was enough to beat Cameron Young by one stroke.

Fox was typically brisk in his approach to playing the 18th. Reflecting on the moment of victory, though, he explained the state of his emotions. “You can’t feel your hands, I know that,” he said.

• USA’s Cameron Young falls short by a single shot

• Rory McIlroy hints at DeChambeau joining Irish Open

What a way to enhance a family dynasty. Ryan Fox, son of a New Zealand rugby legend and grandson of one of the country’s cricket captains, is the Open champion. Three generations, three sports, one Claret Jug. Fox displayed the fortitude of Grant, his old man, to snatch victory from Cameron Young on such a dramatic Open Championship Sunday.

Fox took to the 18th tee level with Young at nine under par. The American had finished more than two hours earlier, his total looking ever more promising as others took it in turn to wilt under the heat of Royal Birkdale. Fox laughed in the face of adversity. He crashed a drive 330 yards down the fairway, flicked an iron to 11ft and holed out for a birdie three. This will trigger quite the party, including in his homeland. This Open needed something to switch the conversation from Bryson DeChambeau and a rules breach. In Fox, the tournament found a bold and deserving champion.

• ‘I won’t defend Bryson – I’m not fond of him’

• Masters champion says rival’s actions ‘not a good look’

Rory McIlroy has accused a “performative” Bryson DeChambeau of “holding the tournament hostage” after the incredible scenes which marked the end of the American’s second round at the Open.

DeChambeau’s antics were matched in noteworthy terms by the scathing sentiment of McIlroy on Saturday. “I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson,” said McIlroy. “I’m not particularly fond of him.”

• American’s participation over weekend was in doubt

• DeChambeau: ‘I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is’

Bryson DeChambeau’s ongoing participation in the Open Championship was in doubt until after midnight on Friday, after extraordinary scenes at the conclusion of the 32-year-old’s second round at Royal Birkdale.

DeChambeau was handed a two-stroke penalty for improving the line of his swing in thick rough, with the scenario prompting a furious response from the American. The sanction shifted DeChambeau out of second place – one stroke behind the leader, Lucas Herbert – and left him in a tie for fifth.

• Australian sets clubhouse lead at eight under after a 62

• Sam Burns holed out on 18 to match milestone

Five feet and three inches sat between Lucas Herbert and the making of history. Another distance was far, far more relevant; that between the Australian golfer’s ears. Thousands have tried to produce a 61 in the long, celebrated history of men’s major championships. There is a reason no one has succeeded. Including, at 12 minutes past two on Friday afternoon, Herbert. No wonder his instant reaction was to slump with hands over his knees.

“I would back Lucas 100 times out of 100 to hole those,” said Herbert’s caddie, Nick Pugh. “He’s one of the best putters, if not the best putter in the world. He knocks them in with aplomb all day long. But when your heart is racing and you know what’s on the line, there’s probably just that little distraction.

• American responds to six-time major winner’s jibe

• Surprise name at top of leaderboard

From no clue and no strategy to no explanation. Who or what is eating Bryson DeChambeau? Maybe the coming days will reveal all. Then again …

A fine and widely unexpected start to the 154th Open Championship was not sufficient to alter DeChambeau’s uncommunicative approach towards anybody who may not be inclined to tickle his tummy. Following a fifth major round in a row, DeChambeau declined the opportunity to speak to eagerly assembled media. One once so garrulous has lost his tongue.

The impact of a heatwave is laid bare by the Open venue’s scorched earth, making the competition for the Claret Jug even harder to gauge

A star was born in 1976 at Royal Birkdale. Seve Ballesteros was unable to press home his 54-hole advantage due to a combination of a Sunday 74 and Johnny Miller’s surge. Still, the swashbuckling style of the 19‑year‑old Spaniard captured hearts and minds. Ballesteros played golf – and successfully – from all parts of the famous links.

The 50th anniversary of Ballesteros’s emergence comes with an uncanny parallel: back at Birkdale, the grass is parched again. Firm, fiery, unpredictable Opens are the finest. Stand by, then, for a sporting feast over four days on the Sefton coast. Less green and pleasant land, more yellow brick road. Away from putting surfaces which have been lashed with water, the impact of a heatwave is laid bare.