# Rory McIlroy Calls Bryson DeChambeau's Actions 'Performative' at The Open McIlroy criticizes DeChambeau's penalty incident. - **Source:** [Forbes - Business](https://brifing.si/source/e0310925-a7af-4d4b-80a7-c80d400e49fa) - **Published:** 2026-07-19 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6cb75ecc-5d58-4adf-a62e-38f5d6a41d34 ## Controversy During the Tournament Bryson DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty during the second round of The Open Championship for a rules violation. The penalty was related to DeChambeau stepping on the grass behind his ball, which was deemed to improve his swing conditions. The debate continued well into the evening. ## McIlroy's Criticism Rory McIlroy described DeChambeau's actions as 'performative' during a press conference. McIlroy implied that his rival acted intentionally for attention and disrupted the tournament's flow. ## Details of the Rules Violation DeChambeau stepped on the grass in his backswing while playing from a penalty area on the fifth hole. This action was considered a breach of golf rules, as it provided an unfair advantage. Officials upheld the two-stroke penalty. ## DeChambeau's Reaction DeChambeau protested the penalty decision and even hinted he might not play the third round. However, the ruling stood, and he spent the evening practicing on the range. ## McIlroy's Emphasis on Fair Play McIlroy stated the penalty was justified, regardless of intent. He stressed the importance of adhering to the rules and maintaining the integrity of the sport. ## Widespread Reaction in the Golf World The incident sparked significant discussion in the golf community. It highlighted the importance of rule adherence and tournament fairness. McIlroy's comments served as a reminder of the sport's ethical values. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.forbes.com/sites/break80/2026/07/19/rory-mcilroy-comments-on-bryson-dechambeau-as-performative-at-the-open/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._