Top golfer has meltdown after footage shows him ‘cheating’ and he’s handed major punishment

Golf is usually a very civilised affair, but things got heated at The Open for one pro following 'cheating' allegations, and a scandal ensued.

Bryson DeChambeau was left furious following accusations of 'cheating', and was caught on camera screaming at officials.

The American has since revealed he will be contesting the third round in the wake of the events.

Following the exchange, he previously threatened to pull out of the tournament after he was raging over being given a two-stroke penalty.

The fiery display happened after he was accused of improving his lie on the fifth hole.

As a result, his second-round 66 was downgraded to a 68, following the two-stroke penalty.

The star was seen talking animatedly, waving his arms around while still holding a club, and it's claimed he was raising his voice at rules officials in footage shared by Sky News.

Bryson DeChambeau is involved in a HEATED exchange with officials back at the fifth! 😮 pic.twitter.com/JmCuKW3KaR

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 17, 2026

He gesticulates towards them as the disagreement continues, after he went into the long grass to take his shot.

His agent, Brett Falkoff, told the press that the star was considering pulling out, but it appears he will be back this afternoon with a three-stroke deficit on Lucas Hubert.

In the wake of the controversy, DeChambeau posted on social media: "Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don't agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let's get it."

It happened after an alleged rule break was caught on the television footage.

The pro insisted on being taken back to the site by buggy, where the heated exchange took place.

Despite protesting his innocence, he proceeded to lose his temper in frustration.

Chief referee Grant Moir later referred to the incident as an 'inadvertent improving of the area' behind DeChambeau's ball.

The TV footage showed him making his way through the long grass, before positioning his right foot directly behind the ball.

This caused the surrounding area to flatten, with claims it made for an easier backswing.

Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it.

— Bryson DeChambeau (@brysondech) July 17, 2026

The debate didn't end at the scene either, as the Daily Mail reports that the discussion continued for some 30 minutes back at the scorers' hut, with DeChambeau also allegedly telling a Daily Mail Sport photographer to 'stop taking pictures'.

He eventually surfaced from the argument to greet the waiting press gathered outside, asking them "how's your evening?" before signing an autograph for a fan.

His agent added: "The only comment I'll make is that they just felt that he was not careful enough in walking around a sensitive area around his golf ball, so that he improved his swing path when the swing path was not even anywhere near the grass."

Chief referee Moir said: 'Bryson has been penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing, so intended backswing on the 5th hole when he was playing his second shot.

'Ruling 1 restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke, and this includes the area of the player's intended swing. So an improvement means to alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke so that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke.

'Now, I'll stress that this applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson's case.'