Bryson DeChambeau ended another dramatic week at the 2026 Open Championship by once again refusing to speak to the media after his final round at Royal Birkdale.
The LIV Golf star signed for a two-over-par 72 on Sunday to finish the tournament at four under par, tied for 14th. As he walked past waiting reporters, DeChambeau simply said, “Have a nice night,” and left the course without taking questions.
It was the third straight day that DeChambeau declined media interviews, bringing an unusual end to a week filled with controversy both on and off the course.
DeChambeau Ends The Open Without Speaking to Reporters
DeChambeau made a bright start to the championship with an opening-round 67 that put him among the early contenders.
However, he did not hold a traditional post-round press conference. Instead, he answered a few questions in a one-on-one interview with an R&A representative.
🚨❌🗣️ #DECLINED — LIV Golf Superstar Bryson DeChambeau once again declined media interviews following his final round at The Open Championship, per @AdamSchupak. DeChambeau shot +2 (72) and said “have a nice night” to reporters before exiting the grounds. pic.twitter.com/QsYu6onYol
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 19, 2026
The biggest talking point came after his second round when R&A officials ruled that DeChambeau improved the area of his intended backswing on the fifth hole by flattening grass behind his ball while preparing for his shot.
The ruling added a two-shot penalty to his score, changing his second-round 66 into a 68. The decision dropped him from one shot behind the lead to three shots back heading into the weekend.
DeChambeau strongly disagreed with the ruling and returned to the fifth hole with officials after his round to argue his case. His only public response came later on social media, where he said he was disappointed with the ruling and didn’t agree with it.
Frustrating Finish to a Difficult Major Season
Despite the setback, DeChambeau continued in the tournament and shot a one-under 69 in the third round. He still had a slim chance of climbing the leaderboard on Sunday, but a triple bogey on the 11th hole ended any hopes of a late charge. He eventually finished tied for 14th at four under par, six shots behind champion Ryan Fox.
After completing his final round, reporters again waited for DeChambeau, but he chose not to stop. His refusal to speak after each of the final three rounds became one of the biggest stories of the week alongside the rules controversy.
After missing the cut at the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open earlier this year, Royal Birkdale was the first major of the year in which he played all four rounds. The LIV Golf star’s two major victories came at the U.S. Open in 2020 and 2024.
Main Photo Credit: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
