Bryson DeChambeau blasted for ‘stupid mistake’ after bizarre rules controversy as American looks to defend US Open title – but should he have been hit with a penalty?

• Bryson DeChambeau was involved in an unusual rule controversy at Oakmont
• The reigning US Open champion was blasted for making a ‘fairly stupid’ mistake 

By ADAM POGRUND

Defending US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau was blasted for making a ‘stupid mistake’ after he was involved in a bizarre rules controversy at Oakmont.

The strange incident began when the 31-year-old’s second shot on the 621-yard fourth hole landed among a group of spectators after he blocked his drive into a bunker, and he was forced to lay up his second shot.

After the ball landed on a spectator walkway, DeChambeau was entitled to free relief, allowing him to drop his ball to the nearest point on the fairway where there was no interference.

However, caddie Gregory Bodine picked up the ball before the world No 10 could determine his new marker, prompting confusion.

As the ball had already been picked up, the LIV Golf star could not return it back to the original spot after realising his relief would be further back from the crossing.

DeChambeau had a long conversation with an official before they decided where could he drop the ball. 

Defending US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau was blasted for making a ‘stupid mistake’

DeChambeau had a long converstation an official before they decided where could he drop it

Speaking after the round, he said: ‘Pretty disappointed with how I played. It’s not too far off’

He then placed the ball on the floor, rather than dropping it from knee height as the rules require. 

The unusual rule incident sparked confusion and criticism towards DeChambeau.

‘However you look at it, that was a fairly stupid mistake for a very intelligent man,’ said Sky Sports commentator Nick Dougherty.

Andrew Coltart, former European Tour champion, said: ‘I’m just astounded that he placed it, it’s just not a natural thing to do.

‘Very bizarre scenes there for Bryson DeChambeau, but he does that to us, doesn’t he? He likes to keep us guessing!’

Rich Beem, former PGA champion and Sky Sports commentator, was astonished at the mistake.

He said: ‘Just going through that whole sequence again, he had his caddie pick up his golf ball without actually marking the position it was at.

‘But if you’re going to take relief why would he take it so close to where it was? Why not take it an extra five yards back?’

The American’s second shot on the 621-yard fourth hole landed amongst a group of spectators

American Bryson DeChambeau is looking to defend his US Open title after winning last year

USGA officials have not yet decided if the reigning champion could be hit with a penalty.

Rory McIlroy was handed a harsh penalty for a rules violation after a similar incident in Abu Dhabi in 2014 where he was judged to have not taken full relief from a spectator walkway.

DeChambeau eventually recovered from the mishap, ending the front nine of his first round on a level-par 35.

Speaking after the round, he said: ‘Pretty disappointed with how I played.

‘It’s not too far off. Just got to get the putting a little bit more dialed, and I’ll be right there because three-over could have easily been two-under today 

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Bryson DeChambeau blasted for ‘stupid mistake’ after bizarre rules controversy as American looks to defend US Open title – but should he have been hit with a penalty?

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