DeChambeau is not a cheater - Scheffler - BBC

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that Scottie Scheffler defended Bryson DeChambeau after a rules controversy at The Open, saying the American was “definitely not a cheater.” The incident occurred during Friday’s second round at Royal Birkdale, where DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty for being deemed to have unintentionally improved the area of his swing on the fifth hole by flattening heavy rough behind his ball.

According to the BBC, the R&A, which runs The Open, said the rule was breached even though officials accepted the action was accidental. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon described the ruling as straightforward under the rules. DeChambeau had believed his 66 left him one stroke from the halfway lead, but the penalty damaged his challenge; after weekend rounds of 69 and 72, he finished six shots behind champion Ryan Fox.

The ruling continued to draw reaction through the weekend. Rory McIlroy, while noting he is “not fond of” DeChambeau, said there was no doubt the backswing line had been improved and accused him of holding the championship to “hostage.” DeChambeau did not address the media during the week, though the BBC reported he had earlier said the decision would motivate him for the weekend. He received a largely warm crowd response on Saturday despite some isolated shouts suggesting cheating.

Scheffler, who was playing with DeChambeau when the issue arose, said he had known him for years and had never seen him cheat in competition or informal golf. He suggested replay angles made the incident hard to judge conclusively, while also saying golf may need stricter self-policing in keeping with the sport’s traditions.