'Stupid mistake for a very intelligent man...' Sky hammer Bryson DeChambeau over rules situation at US Open

Bryson DeChambeau was left red-faced and called himself "dumb" after making a mess of a simple walkway ruling during the first round of the US Open at Oakmont. 

DeChambeau, 31, found the fairway bunker down the right flank on the par-5 4th and he was forced to layup on the 621-yard beast. 

The LIV Golf superstar allegedly asked his caddie Greg Bodine to pick up his golf ball from the spectator walkway so he could take full relief. 

But an issue arose when DeChambeau realised the drop wasn't going to suit much, and he had not marked the original position in the walkway. 

DeChambeau had to call out a rules official to clear up the incident, but it all took a lot longer than it should have. 

It was then seen while DeChambeau took relief that he placed his ball in the fairway rather than drop it from knee height.

After realising his mistake, DeChambeau muttered to himself: "That was dumb." 

Sky Sports Golf's Rich Beem then explained the situation as DeChambeau was talking through his drop with the rules official.

"So his caddie picked up the golf ball because he thought relief was over to the left-hand side," said Beem.

"He didnt like it, but he had to now take relief because he couldn't place the ball back since he didn't mark his original position.

"So now Bryson has to take full relief, and you know, I'm curious to know if he's standing inside that walkway because when you take free relief you have to take full relief from it.

"Payne Stewart, many years back, didn't take complete relief and got dinged for it, so yeah errr..."

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Sky Sports Golf's Andrew Coltart then took aim at DeChambeau for having placed his ball in the fairway as opposed to taking a knee-high drop.  

DeChambeau was informed by the rules official he needed to drop his ball in the fairway.

"I'm also just astounded he placed it," said Coltart.

"It's just not natural." 

Sky Sports Golf lead host Nick Dougherty then chimed in with: "Whichever way you look at it, a fairly stupid mistake for a very intelligent man."

Tony Johnstone, who also works for Sky Sports, was equally as stunned over DeChambeau placing his ball by mistake. 

Beem then added: "Just going through that whole sequence again, he had his caddie pick up his golf ball without actually marking the position it was at, but if you're going to take relief why would he take it so close to where it was. Why not take it an extra five yards back."

Coltart replied: "Yeah very bizarre scenes there for Bryson DeChambeau, he does that to us doesn't he, he likes to keep us guessing." 

It was deemed that DeChambeau was standing just outside of the walkway so he was fine.

There was no penalty during the incident, but what seemed a simple ruling ended up taking close to 10 minutes to sort out. 

DeChambeau went on to play his third shot from 188 yards to 17 feet and he would two-putt from there for par. 

DeChambeau is looking to become the first player to successfully defend the US Open since Brooks Koepka in 2018. 

The World No.10 is also looking to match Tiger Woods for three US Open victories. 

He fancies his chances, too. 

"I do feel like the US Open fits my game well," DeChambeau said on the eve of his title defence.

"I'm pretty solid at just hanging around and hanging on.

"Even when I'm not playing well, I'll just hang around.

"My game is built for the toughest tests, and I do believe by the end of my career I will have given myself plenty of chances at the US Open.

"I think it's just a comfort factor at a US Open."

DeChambeau went on to card a disappointing 3-over 73 in the first round.