Justin Thomas has insisted that he does not think that Bryson DeChambeau intentionally tried to improve his lie at The Open Championship, but admitted that he definitely supported the decision to hand him a penalty at Royal Birkdale.
Few will forget the scenes on Friday evening at The Open Championship, as Bryson DeChambeau pleaded his case with rules officials ahead of being handed a two-shot penalty.
DeChambeau was adjudged to have improved the lie around his ball after finding the thick rough with his tee shot on the fifth hole.
Replays showed the two-time US Open champion stomping around in the long grass as he attempted to work out how he could possibly hit the green.
Justin Thomas issues his verdict on Bryson DeChambeau’s penalty at The Open Championship
DeChambeau threatened to not continue to playing in the final major of the year. There were even reports that DeChambeau wanted to call President Donald Trump to get the decision overturned.
Some players defended the LIV Golf star. Max Homa criticised the decision to hand DeChambeau a two-shot penalty. But others were much more comfortable with the ruling.
And speaking on the We Need a Fourth podcast, Justin Thomas suggested that DeChambeau could have few complaints, even if he had no intention to make his shot easier.
“I did not, no,” he said, when asked if he learnt anything himself with the ruling. “I very genuinely do not think that he did it intentionally or in a way of cheating. But when he first got in there, when I saw that, I thought that’s too much.
“I think guys do that without paying attention. I had a conversation with our rules officials just after. It’s such a bad look and a tough look when it’s Bryson or a LIV player. It’s not true, Shane got a penalty at Portrush of all places, but I hope this starts a trend of accountability. It’s like whether you are trying to do it or not, if you are doing something that is borderline you are going to be penalised. That way guys are more careful. I think our game and our rules are so much on intent. [People will say] I didn’t intend to improve me lie, but you did! There was grass behind you and now you have no grass, that is clear as day, improving your lie. Whether you tried to or not. So you are penalised.
“It’s the same as guys when they try to push the envelope of saying my ball crossed up here, when it did not, or tapping down spike marks.
“There is stuff that could be a little bit more strict on because I think once it happens a couple of times people are going to pay more attention to it.”
Thomas comments on the rivalry between Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy
One player who needed little encouragement to voice his support for the decision was Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy took the opportunity to point out that he does not care for DeChambeau. It was confirmation that one of golf’s most significant rivalries is still very much alive.
It added spice to the final rounds of both the 2024 US Open and 2025 Masters. It certainly makes the tournaments much more interesting for the fans.
Intriguingly, Thomas was not exactly emphatic when asked whether he is a fan of the rift between the pair.
“I don’t know. That’s a good question. I’m not sure if I am for it or against it. It’s easy to say as I’m an outsider,” he said.
“But I think there is something with how it is all set up now with Bryson on LIV and Rory on Tour, they are only playing four times a year, so I think that adds a lot to it. It definitely adds a lot to the storyline leading up to it, especially if they are both in contention.
“There is definitely some feeling there of I don’t want this person to win. I want to win but I am trying a little harder so that they don’t win. I honestly think they would be lying if they said that was not the case.”
It is definitely good for the game to have McIlroy and DeChambeau not be best friends. As long as they conduct themselves professionally, it only adds another storyline that makes casual golf fans want to tune in.
But clearly, it is a little bit difficult for players such as Thomas who have teamed with DeChambeau in the Ryder Cup, but also seems to have a good relationship with McIlroy.