The two-shot penalty imposed on Bryson DeChambeau during the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale was characterized as a "clear-cut decision" by R&A chief executive Mark Darbon. This penalty disrupted DeChambeau's aspirations of claiming the Claret Jug after his impressive performance in the second round.

On Friday, after completing a four-under 66 to finish seven under par, DeChambeau found himself just one shot off the lead. However, the controversy arose when he was penalized for trampling on long grass near his ball on the fifth hole.

Darbon emphasized:

• The decision was unfortunate but clear from a rules perspective.
• He confirmed he had not received any communication from President Donald Trump, who has ties to DeChambeau and recently sought a review of another athlete’s suspension.

In a light-hearted moment during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Darbon stated, "No. I have not received a call from President Trump and we will see what happens from here."

Despite the setback, DeChambeau expressed determination, indicating that the penalty would motivate him for the weekend's play. Currently, he sits three shots behind Australian leader Lucas Herbert, and he is scheduled to tee off at 15:30 BST on Saturday.

Darbon noted the emotional context surrounding DeChambeau's reaction but opted to keep specific discussions private, acknowledging the intensity of the moment while maintaining focus on the ruling.