The British Open produced fireworks of its own — and not the kind organizers were hoping for. American star Bryson DeChambeau erupted in fury after being hit with a two-shot penalty during his second round for allegedly “improving the area” of an intended backswing. The penalty so incensed DeChambeau that he threatened to withdraw from the tournament entirely, with supporters rallying behind the cry: “He’s not a cheater.”
The incident, reported widely by the Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age, instantly became the tournament’s dominant storyline, overshadowing what was happening on the leaderboard.
And what was happening on the leaderboard was remarkable. Australian Lucas Herbert fired a blistering round of 62 that tied the major championship single-round scoring record. The heartbreak? He missed a putt on the 18th hole that would have given him an outright record-setting 61. It was an agonizing near-miss that will linger in Open Championship lore.
