Sports
Bryson DeChambeau penalized 2 strokes, agent claims he could withdraw from Open
Jul 17, 2026; Southport, ENG; Bryson DeChambeau reacts after making a birdie putt on the ninth green during the second round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bryson DeChambeau was handed a two-stroke penalty upon completion of the second round of the Open Championship on Friday in Southport, England, after R&A rules officials determined he had taken actions to improve his lie out of tall, native grass on a shot 13 holes earlier.
Rather than waking up in second place and the final pairing for the third round on Saturday, DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, claimed on Friday night his fiery client instead wait until the sun rises again to decide whether to even participate in another hole at Royal Birkdale.
“He’s a lot of things. He’s not a cheater,” Falkoff told reporters as daylight ran thin Friday. “He’s a big boy. He’ll see how he feels. But he certainly feels he was unfairly penalized.”
DeChambeau, Falkoff claimed, plans to make the decision about returning to finish the final major of the season on his own and without input from others.
DeChambeau vehemently disagreed with the ruling when officials shuttled him back to the scene of the alleged misdeed before he could enter the scoring trailer to sign his second-round scorecard.
A popular but divisive figure in the world of golf, the member of LIV Golf originally posted a 4-under 66 to take second place at 7 under, one shot behind Australia’s Lucas Herbert. Now, DeChambeau will enter the weekend three behind Herbert instead of one, his bogey 5 at the fifth hole changed to a triple-bogey 7.
Following a session on the range commenced immediately after DeChambeau and his team left scoring, the narrative was less about the infraction and more about what comes next.
Walk away from a major championship with trailing the leader by three shots with 36 holes to go? Falkoff said Friday DeChambeau was “100 percent” serious.
Golf Channel broadcast cameras showed DeChambeau appear to tell rules officials “I just won’t play tomorrow” before they boarded multiple carts to return to the scoring trailer and the R&A released its decision.
DeChambeau hit his drive at the par-4 fifth hole far right and eventually found the ball in a native area. Replays showed the two-time major winner stamping down on different patches of tall grass near his ball. It may have affected not the lie of the ball, but the path for his eventual swing.
After news broke that officials were considering a two-stroke penalty, DeChambeau went back to the scene on the fifth hole with his caddie, agent and two rules officials to discuss the sequence of events. TV cameras captured a discussion several minutes long, and at points DeChambeau could be seen gesticulating and getting animated.
More than an hour after his round ended, the R&A, who organize The Open, finalized their official decision. A new score was reflected on the massive leaderboard between the 18th green and where DeChambeau stood ripping golf balls on the driving range.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union reacquire star D Kai Wagner
Oct 4, 2025; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner (27) lifts the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield after the game against New York City FC at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Three-time MLS All-Star defender Kai Wagner returned to the Philadelphia Union on Friday, being acquired via transfer from Birmingham City FC.
Philadelphia also sent $100,000 in General Allocation Money to Sporting Kansas City to swap spots in the waiver order, landing the No. 1 position to claim Wagner in exchange for the No. 22 spot.
Wagner spent seven seasons with Philadelphia (2019-25) prior to the seven-month stint with Birmingham FC. He had three assists in 18 matches across all competitions for Birmingham.
“Coming back to Philadelphia feels incredibly meaningful for me and my family. Over the years, this city has become our home, and returning was a decision that came from the heart,” Wagner said in a news release. “My time away gave me the opportunity to experience a new challenge, but it also reinforced how much this club, this city, and our supporters mean to me.
“There’s something special about representing the Union and playing in front of our fans. I believe in what this club stands for, its culture, ambition, and commitment to competing at the highest level. I’m excited to be back, and grateful for the opportunity to help write the next chapter.”
Wagner is a two-time MLS Best XI pick and helped Philadelphia win two Supporters’ Shield awards for best regular-season record (2020, 2025). He was also a stalwart on the 2022 squad which lost to Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup Final.
Wagner holds the franchise record of 63 assists. He has eight goals in 204 regular-season matches.
In 2025, he had two goals and 11 assists in 32 matches and anchored a defense that gave up an MLS-low 35 goals and registered 14 clean sheets.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kai back to Philadelphia. He’s been an integral part of this club’s success and has consistently established himself as one of the top left backs in Major League Soccer,” Philadelphia sporting director Jon Scheer said. “Kai understands what this club represents, what our supporters expect, and the standards we hold ourselves to every day. We’re confident he’ll make an immediate impact this season as we pursue our goals and be an important part of our club’s future.”
The Union (1-10-4, 7 points) are struggling with the fewest points in the league. They resume play after the nearly two-month international break for the World Cup on Wednesday when they host the New York Red Bulls.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jon Rahm warned after tossing club at Royal Birkdale
May 9, 2026; Sterling, Virginia, USA; Jon Rahm lines up a putt during the third round of LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John (Jack) Power-Imagn Images Jon Rahm received an official code of conduct warning after tossing his club on the 15th hole at the Open Championship on Friday, the R&A confirmed.
Rahm hit his tee shot with an iron and immediately could see the ball was going off to the left. The Spaniard then threw the club into the ground and it took a big bounce before landing.
Rahm was reportedly informed of the warning by tournament officials as he approached the 17th hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.
A second offense this weekend could result in a two-stroke penalty.
Rahm shot 3-under 67 on Friday and is 4 under for the tournament. He was part of a large tie for eighth place when he completed a round that consisted of six birdies and three bogeys.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Stampeders aim to improve defense in rematch against Alouettes
Nov 8, 2025; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Tyson Philpot (6) runs with the football during warm up before the start of the Eastern Final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Hamilton Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images It’s a simple proposition for the Calgary Stampeders. Improve defensively or languish around .500 this year.
Heading into a rematch Saturday against the visiting Montreal Alouettes, Calgary (2-3) is permitting 35.2 points and 433.8 yards per game. Even with points and yardage up across the league, those figures aren’t good enough.
“When you let them score that many points, it proves a bigger challenge,” said defensive end Folarin Orimolade. “We’re giving up a few more explosive plays and we’re giving up a few more touchdowns.”
Some of those happened last week in Montreal, where the Als outscored the Stamps 37-30. Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander has thrown for 1,779 yards, second only to Toronto’s Chad Kelly, and receiver Tyson Philpot already has 719 yards — 240 more than anyone else.
Calgary coach Dave Dickenson said playing the same opponent in consecutive weeks makes preparation easier.
“You kind of start trying to predict,” he said. “It’s like, ‘OK, if they did this, what is the counterpunch to that?’ But sometimes, it’s actually counterproductive to do that.”
While the Stamps aim for a split, the Als (4-1) try to keep rolling behind their pitch-catch combination. Philpot riddled Calgary for nine catches, 132 yards and a touchdown. It was his fourth straight 100-yard game.
If Philpot can continue at this pace for 18 games, he would finish with 2,588 yards, obliterating the CFL record of 2,036 set by Calgary’s Allen Pitts in 1994. Philpot also has 45 receptions, putting him on pace to break the 28-year-old mark of 160 that Derrell Mitchell achieved for Toronto in 1998.
“When I hear my number called, all I think about is making a play for these guys,” Philpot said. “As long as I keep doing that, I’ll continue having my number called. It’s in my DNA. I’ve done this since I was a young kid. In my mind, the guy across from me can’t guard me.”
Like the Stamps, Montreal is seeking better defensive performance. Even though they’re tied for the league’s best record with Edmonton and Saskatchewan, the Als are yielding 30.8 ppg.
–Field Level Media
Union reacquire star D Kai Wagner
Jon Rahm warned after tossing club at Royal Birkdale
