Bryson DeChambeau nearly hit English star Ian Poulter at LIV Golf UK after a rogue tee shot.
The American has been in action at JCB Golf & Country Club in Rocester, Staffordshire, in pursuit of his third individual title of the LIV season.
He had a moment to forget on the front nine, though, when his wayward tee shot nearly made contact with Poulter.
The 50-year-old Englishman was setting up for his shot on hole six before a bouncing ball landed just a couple of yards away from where he was standing, causing him to quickly cover his head.
Poulter shouted “fore” to DeChambeau’s tee box after nearly being injured by the American’s ball.
DeChambeau was quickly made aware that his tee shot nearly struck Poulter and was unaware that his ball was going to cross where the Englishman was standing.
During the coverage on TNT, someone can be heard saying: “You could have killed someone.”
The commentators explained that DeChambeau was not at fault because he did not know someone would be standing in Poulter’s position.
Bryson DeChambeau nearly hit Ian Poulter with a wayward tee shot
|
PA
Poulter explained that DeChambeau should not be blamed, but admitted the moment “was a shock to the system”.
He told TNT Sports: “It wasn’t his fault at all. We were 40 yards further up looking for Jon [Rahm’s] ball in the fescue, and it took three minutes to find his ball. [We] found it in time, [then] we walked all the way back to my ball. So those guys would have been on the tee for a long time.
“That new tee box that they have put in there has gone back a bit, and you can’t see that portion of the fairway where you’re gonna take it on.
“Look, it’s not his fault; it’s one of those things. He thought he could probably see people moving further up once we found Jon’s ball, and he sent one down there.”
DeChambeau appeared frustrated and apologetic for the moment when realising what had happened.
The incident could have left Poulter badly injured given the power the American gets on his drives, averaging between 190mph and 203mph on his longer tee shots.
DeChambeau was the centre of attention last week at Royal Birkdale for The Open Championship after being awarded a two-shot penalty for improving the line of his ball.
He was found to have breached Rule 8.1 during Friday’s second round, penalised for inadvertently improving his lie in heavy rough on the fifth hole.
DeChambeau did not realise his tee shot was nearly going to hit the Englishman
|
GETTY
Footage from his round showed the American walking through the high grass and stepping on vegetation in a manner officials determined had improved conditions for his backswing.
R&A executive director Grant Moir confirmed DeChambeau had been penalised for “inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing” while preparing his second shot from 72 yards out.
The sanction transformed what had been a bogey five into a triple-bogey seven on his scorecard.
The American’s reaction to the ruling was explosive. Cameras captured DeChambeau emerging from the scoring tent engaged in an animated confrontation with officials, waving his arms and pointing in evident frustration.
He insisted on being transported back to the fifth hole with his club to demonstrate how he had played the shot, attempting to prove his innocence to R&A officials.
The penalty stood, and the official emphasised there was no suggestion DeChambeau had acted deliberately.
