Report: Bryson DeChambeau in "animated" discussion with R&A boss after R3 at The Open

The drama surrounding Bryson DeChambeau at this year's Open continued after the third round at Royal Birkdale, according to a report.  

DeChambeau, 32, was hit with a two-shot penalty on Friday after he was deemed to have "inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing" before playing his second shot on the fifth hole. 

Tournament officials believed the LIV Golf recruit trampled the long grass before playing his stroke and fell foul of rule 8.1.

A furious DeChambeau was observed arguing his case as he returned to the scene of the incident alongside the chief referee.  

His participation in the final men's major of the year was then thrown into doubt as he appeared to tell an R&A official that he wouldn't continue. 

But the two-time U.S. Open champion did turn up for his 15:30 BST tee time alongside his compatriot Sam Burns on moving day and remains firmly in the hunt to win his first Claret Jug. 

DeChambeau signed for a 69 on Saturday and will begin the final round four adrift of leader Burns. 

But the drama surrounding DeChambeau took an intriguing twist after his final putt dropped. 

Again, he decided against speaking to reporters waiting, hoping, that he would speak and instead made a bee line for the R&A Championship Office. 

According to the Guardian's Ewan Murray, DeChambeau was observed in an animated discussion with R&A boss Mark Darbon. 

It is understood DeChambeau requested his scorecard from yesterday's round, which was declined. 

DeChambeau eventually emerged and headed for the range again where he hit a few more balls before turning his attention to the putting green. 

His actions yesterday were widely debated by several golfers who made the cut. 

Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who has never really got on with DeChambeau, heavily criticised the US golfer. 

McIlroy said he was "not particularly fond" of DeChambeau and there was little doubt that he deserved the penalty. 

The Northern Irishman, 37, also accused DeChambeau of "holding The Open hostage" for keeping everyone waiting on Friday evening. 

Tee times were delayed as DeChambeau reportedly refused to say whether or not he was going to continue. 

Burns was among those to express sympathy for DeChambeau, though, telling reporters that the spectators were supportive as they played the third round together. 

"We didn't discuss it any," said Burns. "In my personal opinion, I honestly feel bad for Bryson in the situation that he was in. 

"From my perspective, I didn't feel like maybe there was enough evidence for him to deserve a penalty there.

"I feel bad for him. I think he played an incredible round of golf late yesterday, and it's unfortunate to have something kind of like that where they come in after your round and tell you you're being docked two shots.

"But props to him. He came out and played a really nice round of golf today, and that takes a lot of grit to be able to come out and do that. So I was impressed."

Darbon previously told BBC Radio 5 Live that it was a "clear-cut" decision to hand DeChambeau a penalty. 

"It was an unfortunate decision but really clear-cut from a rules perspective," Darbon said. 

Darbon also confirmed, jokingly, that he had not received a phone call from US president Donald Trump. 

Trump asked FIFA to review the red card of United States striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup earlier this month.

The R&A boss also refused to comment on whether DeChambeau did in fact threaten to withdraw. 

"It's fair to say there was some emotion around that and we will keep some of the aspects of that discussion private," Darbon said.

He added: "There was some emotion but I empathise with that. 

"Bryson has played a great round of golf, is in contention at a major championship, he wants to win the golf's original major.

"We were focused on the ruling and making a fair assessment."