Rory McIlroy accuses Bryson DeChambeau of 'holding Open hostage' over rules controversy

Cameras had picked up the two-time US Open champion trampling over long grass as he prepared to play his shot from greenside rough

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland on the 18th green during day three of The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Rory McIlroy on Saturday accused Bryson DeChambeau of performative attention-seeking for the American’s behaviour following his two-stroke penalty for a rules infraction the previous night.

DeChambeau was penalised for improving his lie, a punishment that took the LIV golfer out of Saturday’s third-round final group after reducing Friday’s round from a four-under-par 66 to a 68 and sending him into a tie for fifth place.