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Bryson DeChambeau's two-stroke penalty at The Open Championship for improving the conditions affecting his stroke shocked Royal Birkdale.

That Bryson DeChambeau has hit just 12 fairways in two days has had little negative impact, with the one notable exception.

This is The Athletic's newsletter for the 2026 Open Championship.

DeChambeau and R&A officials went back to the fifth hole to examine the site of the alleged violation.

The incident occurred on the 15th hole Friday at Royal Birkdale. Rahm could have been assessed a two-stroke penalty or disqualified.

The 2017 Open champ Jordan Spieth three-butted for double-bogey and also had a quadruple bogey on Friday to miss the cut.

Herbert had a chance at the major championship scoring record but missed a par putt on the 18th hole.

Suber is the fourth player in the last five years to hold at least a share of the lead at The Open following his debut round.

This is The Athletic's newsletter for the 2026 Open Championship.

"You can't plan for these conditions," says one of the people responsible for preparing Royal Birkdale this week.