Sam Burns makes feelings clear on Bryson DeChambeau's controversial Open penalty

Sam Burns has thrown his support behind Bryson DeChambeau, insisting he does not believe the LIV Golf star deserved the controversial two-shot penalty that has rocked The Open at Royal Birkdale.

Burns, who fired a brilliant 65 to take a two-shot lead into Sunday's final round, played alongside his U.S. Ryder Cup teammate on moving day and was inevitably asked for his thoughts on the biggest talking point of the championship.

DeChambeau was penalised two shots after Friday's second round when R&A officials ruled he had "inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing" before playing his second shot from deep rough at the par-4 5th. 

Tournament officials deemed the 32-year-old American had trampled down long grass before making his stroke, resulting in a breach of Rule 8.1.

The decision sparked a furious reaction from DeChambeau on Friday evening as he returned to the scene with the chief referee to argue his case. 

At one stage, he even appeared to suggest he might not continue in The Open before eventually teeing it up on Saturday.

DeChambeau said via his agent that he felt "unfairly penalized".

The two-time U.S. Open champion responded well with a third-round 69 and remains firmly in contention for his first Claret Jug, sitting four shots behind Burns heading into Sunday's final round.

Speaking after the third round, Burns admitted he felt sympathy for DeChambeau and questioned whether there had been enough evidence to justify the penalty.

"I honestly feel bad for Bryson in the situation that he was in," Burns told reporters. 

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

Burns also praised DeChambeau's response to the controversy, adding: "He played an incredible round of golf late yesterday, and it's unfortunate to have something 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."

Watch Burns' reaction here:

The drama surrounding DeChambeau continued after Saturday's third round when he again declined to speak to waiting reporters before heading directly to the R&A Championship Office.

According to The Guardian's Ewan Murray, DeChambeau held an animated discussion with R&A chief executive Mark Darbon and is understood to have requested a copy of Friday's scorecard, although that request was declined. 

DeChambeau then returned to the practice range before continuing his preparations for the final round on the putting green, before departing the venue. 

McIlroy rips into DeChambeau

Burns' defence of DeChambeau stands in stark contrast to Rory McIlroy's views of the incident earlier on Saturday. 

After his own third-round 69, McIlroy said there was little doubt DeChambeau deserved the penalty, admitted he is "not particularly fond" of the American, and accused him of "holding The Open hostage" by prolonging Friday evening's discussions with tournament officials.

Watch McIlroy's reaction here:

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also addressed the controversy, revealing he has "a ton to say" about the incident but insisting now is not the time to share his full thoughts while the championship is still ongoing.

Watch Scheffler's reaction here:

With Burns chasing a maiden major title and DeChambeau still within striking distance, the debate surrounding Friday's controversial ruling shows no sign of fading heading into the final round.