Bryson DeChambeau of the United States was assessed a two-stroke penalty in the second round of the Open Championship.
DeChambeau received the two-stroke penalty during scorecard submission for improving "conditions affecting the stroke" at the 5th hole (par 4) during the tournament's second round held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 17 (local time).
DeChambeau's tee shot on this hole went into deep rough. Before hitting the ball, DeChambeau walked back and forth around the ball, stepping on the grass. In the process, the knee-high long grass behind the ball was flattened. After discussion, the committee imposed the penalty, saying, "Although unintentional, DeChambeau improved his intended area of swing."
One of golf's principles is that "the course is played as it is found." Players must not improve "conditions affecting the stroke," such as the lie of a ball at rest, the area of intended stance, the area of intended swing, the line of play, and the relief area where a ball will be dropped or placed (Rule 8.1).
For example, growing or attached natural objects, immovable obstructions, integral objects, boundary objects of the course, and teeing area tee markers must not be moved, bent, or broken. Players also must not place loose impediments or movable obstructions to build a stance or improve the line of play.
However, there is no penalty even if conditions affecting the stroke are improved in the course of reasonable actions to find one's ball or to remove loose impediments and movable obstructions.
Even if an object has been moved, there is a way to avoid a penalty. The player can restore it to its original condition before making the stroke. For example, if a boundary object of the course (e.g., an OB stake) is moved or pulled out, it can be reinserted at its original angle. A moved tree branch, grass, or immovable obstruction can also be returned to its original position.
However, if a branch is severely bent or broken so that it cannot be returned to its original position, the penalty cannot be avoided. In DeChambeau's case as well, the penalty cannot be avoided because the flattened grass could not be restored to its original condition. Restoring by using an object other than the original object is also not permitted.
