Herbert leads The Open as DeChambeau penalised for rules infringement

Defending champion Daniel Berger’s early exit from The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale left the field wide open on Saturday, but it was England’s Tyrrell Hatton who seized the initiative with a round of 65 to move into a share of the lead. Yet the headline belonged to another American, Bryson DeChambeau, whose hopes of a second Claret Jug were dented by a two-stroke penalty for a rules infringement during his second-round 69.

Hatton’s charge and the reshuffle at the top

Hatton’s composed 65—five under par—put him at five under for the championship, tied with South African Branden Grace, who carded a bogey-free 66. The pair now lead by a single stroke from overnight leader David Herbert, whose 70 kept him in contention despite a late stumble at the 17th. Herbert’s round included a costly bogey at the par-three 17th, where a wayward tee shot found the greenside bunker at 1:42pm local time, forcing a bogey that pushed him back to three under. The Englishman’s first-round 67 had seen him surge into contention, but Royal Birkdale’s undulating greens and treacherous bunkers—particularly at the 17th, where the pin was cut just 12 paces from the sand—proved unforgiving once again.

DeChambeau, who had entered the day as one of the favourites after an opening 68, finished his round on six under, but his scorecard was overshadowed by the penalty applied for a breach of Rule 10.2b—improperly touching the line of his putt. The infraction, spotted by a rules official at 3:15pm local time, added two strokes to his total, leaving him five shots adrift of the leaders. His frustration was evident as he addressed the media, acknowledging the error while insisting his focus remained on the task ahead.

DeChambeau’s penalty and the ripple effect

The penalty, confirmed by the R&A’s rules officials at 3:30pm local time, stripped DeChambeau of any chance to challenge for the lead on Saturday. His round of 69—initially thought to be a solid score—was recalculated to 71, a move that dropped him from a tie for the lead to a distant tie for sixth. The incident underscored the unforgiving nature of championship golf, where a single misstep can derail even the most meticulous preparation. DeChambeau’s round included birdies at the 3rd and 15th, but his momentum was halted by the penalty, which came after he had lined up a 10-foot putt on the 16th green.

For Herbert, the penalty reinforced the volatility of the leaderboard. His 70 left him at three under, one clear of the chasing pack, but with Hatton and Grace lurking just behind. The Englishman, who had surged into contention with a first-round 67, now faces the challenge of maintaining his composure as the pressure intensifies. His bogey at 17 was a reminder that Royal Birkdale’s treacherous bunkers and undulating greens will punish even the slightest lapse—particularly when the pin is cut on a downslope, as it was on Saturday, forcing players to navigate a 15-foot downhill putt from the sand.

What comes next: the final day’s puzzle

With the top three separated by just two strokes, Sunday’s final round promises to be a high-stakes affair. Hatton, who has long been considered a major contender but has yet to convert that potential into a Claret Jug, will need to replicate his Saturday brilliance. His round of 65 included key pars at the 1st and 18th, where he saved par from the rough with a 40-foot chip, and birdies at the 4th and 12th, where he holed from 12 feet. Grace, meanwhile, is bidding to become the first South African to win The Open since Louis Oosthuizen in 2010, and his bogey-free round suggests he is peaking at the right time.

For Herbert, the challenge is to shake off the memory of his late stumble and produce a closing 68 or better to secure his first major title. The leaderboard’s fluidity means no one can afford to look over their shoulder. As the sun sets on Saturday evening, the stage is set for a gripping finale—one where a single stroke could separate glory from heartbreak. The 17th hole, with its elevated tee shot and undulating green, will be a critical test for all three leaders, particularly Herbert, who will need to avoid the fate that befell him at the same hole on Saturday.

The Open Championship has a habit of producing drama, and Royal Birkdale is no exception. With the field tightly packed and the conditions unforgiving, the final day will be a test of nerve as much as skill. For Hatton, Grace, and Herbert, the question is no longer about how they got here, but whether they can handle the weight of expectation when it matters most. The R&A’s decision to keep the pin position on the 17th at 12 paces from the sand on Saturday only added to the difficulty, ensuring that the hole would remain a decisive factor in the championship.