Bryson DeChambeau’s two-stroke penalty was the talking point of the 154th Open. However, six-time major winner Nick Faldo believed that it was the LIV man who wanted to be at the center of things.

The R&A assessed the two-stroke penalty under Rule 8.1 to DeChambeau. The LIV man refused to accept it at first and was opting to withdraw. That created a lot of controversy, and Faldo pointed that out.

"He [DeChambeau] wants to be the center of attention," Sir Nick Faldo told Sky Sports. "I always thought you wanted to come into a major and keep your mind and body on a lovely even kind of zen keel.”

DeChambeau’s frustrated claim to opt out delayed the publication of Moving Day tee times. The golfing world was left divided with the ruling, some believing it was unconvincing.

DeChambeau’s intense 15-minute conversation with the R&A officials was to no avail. He was extremely animated and made headlines on Friday. Faldo believed that the controversy would be a burden to the two-time major winner.

"For him to be having to deal with all this emotion, whether it fires him up or not, we will see. I've got to believe it's another hurdle to climb,” Faldo added on Sky Sports.

DeChambeau confirmed two minutes after midnight on X that he would make his 15:30 BST tee time on Saturday. The penalty turned his score from 66 to 68 and was a major setback for the 32-year-old.

Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley also had his say on the matter.

Paul McGinley on the Bryson DeChambeau controversy

Paul McGinley agreed with Faldo, stating that DeChambeau intended to be the pivot of the major.

"He's made himself the story now. If he plays poorly, it will be 'because of what the horrible R&A did to me at the ruling' and, if he plays well, it's because he's fired up off what they did,” said McGinley on SkySports. 

The Irishman also questioned the way DeChambeau handled the matter. Penalties are common at the big stages, and McGinley believed the LIV man called for drama.

"We've seen a lot of these incidents over the years, but there was acceptance of it. A lot of the time, nobody makes a big fuss and drama the way that went on. That's where Bryson got it wrong - he didn't respect the referees in the game," he added.

DeChambeau remained fired up on Moving Day as he carded a 69. However, his closing round 72 put him out of contention.

Do you think Bryson DeChambeau deliberately wanted to be “the center of attention”? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kalp Thaker