Why Bryson DeChambeau Got Relief From Grandstand In Bizarre 18th Hole Ruling

Bryson DeChambeau hits over the grandstand

What a difference a day makes. Bryson DeChambeau had made zero bogeys through his first two rounds, including an eight-under 64 in the second round. But the third round was a different story. DeChambeau had surrendered his lead long before he stepped onto No. 18, which would prove to be an adventure.

On the par-5 finishing hole, DeChambeau pulled his second shot long and left, clanking off the top of a grandstand before kicking over into a penalty area. Suddenly, there was a set of grandstands between DeChambeau and the hole — and he was in the penalty area.

A lengthy ruling followed. Mark Russell, the PGA Tour’s VP of rules and competitions, came in to walk DeChambeau through his options. Russell spoke to reporters to explain the ruling afterwards.

Essentially, DeChambeau was allowed to take a free drop — but only if he kept his ball in that penalty area. But within that penalty area, he was entitled to the best relief he could get — “maximum relief,” according to the rules.

After taking a drop, DeChambeau and his caddie Tim Tucker settled on an approximate number of 45 yards to the pin. From there, DeChambeau hit a spectacular wedge shot up and over the camera tower and grandstands that landed softly on the green.

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