Scottie Scheffler: Bryson DeChambeau 'definitely not a cheater' - ESPN

SOUTHPORT, England — Scottie Scheffler said professional golf needs to do a better job of policing rule breakers, but the world No. 1 also defended Bryson DeChambeau after the final round of the Open Championship on Sunday, saying the LIV Golf star is «definitely not a cheater.»

DeChambeau was penalized two strokes after Friday's second round for improving «the area of his intended swing» in tall grass on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.

«All I'll say is Bryson — I've known him for a long time, and he's a lot of things, but he's definitely not a cheater,» Scheffler said. «I've never seen him cheat once, whether we were having a putting contest on the putting green or chipping contest, or anytime we played amateur golf, I never saw anything suspicious.»

TV replays showed DeChambeau approaching his shot in the native area and taking several high steps. It appeared that the tall fescue grass behind his ball lay down as a result.

The R&A's executive director of governance, Grant Moir, said in a statement Friday that the rule «applies even when the action is accidental, as it was in Bryson's case.»

«When you're watching him there from that camera angle, maybe he was a touch careless around his ball, but I don't think he did anything intentionally,» said Scheffler, who posted a 3-under 67 in the final round and tied for fourth at 7 under.

DeChambeau shot a 69 on Saturday and a 72 on Sunday to finish with an overall score of 4 under, six shots behind winner Ryan Fox.

Scheffler also agreed with Russell Henley and Sam Burns, who suggested that some golfers are scrutinized more than others because their shots are shown on TV so often.

«All I can really say is I think maybe we need to be a little bit more strict in the