Justin Thomas demands Open tee times after Bryson DeChambeau penalty chaos

Justin Thomas fires nine-word plea as Bryson DeChambeau penalty sparks chaos at The Open

Justin Thomas demanded faster third-round tee times on Friday night after Bryson DeChambeau’s controversial two-stroke penalty triggered a 90-minute delay at Royal Birkdale on 18 July 2026.

The 16-time PGA Tour winner took to social media at 10:38pm local time with a blunt message: **“Can we get some 3rd round tee times please???”** His post capped a night of frustration as players waited for officials to finalize tee sheets while DeChambeau’s camp battled over the ruling.

What happened on the fifth hole?

DeChambeau, 32, was penalized for **inadvertently improving his lie** on the fifth hole. He stepped back to flatten long grass while reading his shot, arguing he was only preparing to hit. Officials spent more than 90 minutes reviewing video and consulting rules before confirming the two-stroke penalty.

The LIV Golf star threatened to withdraw in protest but ultimately stayed in the tournament. “Obviously disappointed with the ruling,” he wrote on X. “I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it.”

How the penalty reshaped the leaderboard

Without the penalty, DeChambeau would have been one shot behind leader Lucas Herbert after Friday’s four-under 66. Instead, he fell into a tie for fifth with Sam Burns and Kim Si-woo.

Thomas, meanwhile, was among the players left cooling their heels as officials hashed out the call. His frustration mirrored broader player sentiment after a day of stoppages and uncertainty.

Why the ruling matters beyond one round

The penalty hinged on Rule 1, which bars players from altering **protected conditions** in their intended swing area-even accidentally. Grant Moir, the referee, stressed that bending or breaking growing grass counts even if unintentional.

“A player mustn’t move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object,” Moir said in a statement. The decision underscored how strictly officials enforce course conditions, especially at a major.

What comes next for the players?

DeChambeau heads into the weekend with renewed focus after the fiery exchange. “This fires me up,” he said, signaling a shift from frustration to competition.

For Thomas and the rest of the field, the priority is clear: tee times sorted, rounds played, and the chase for Claret Jug glory resumes on Saturday.

The R&A has already unveiled its 154th Open collection, but the real drama unfolded off the course before a single shot was struck on day three.