“He’s Innocent!” Paige Spiranac Defends Bryson DeChambeau After Stepping in Rough Sparks Cheating Accusations and Heated Ruling Dispute

Golf influencer and former pro Paige Spiranac quickly stepped in to defend Bryson DeChambeau after he was hit with a two-stroke penalty at the 2026 Open Championship for stepping on tall rough to reach his ball on the 5th hole, an action officials ruled as improving his lie.

The incident sparked immediate online backlash with fans and commentators accusing the two-time major winner of cheating, especially as he was in strong contention early in the round. DeChambeau publicly disagreed with the ruling on X, stating he was disappointed but fired up to continue playing, confirming he would tee it up for round three while sitting three shots off the lead at 5-under par.

Spiranac took to X on July 17 to push back hard against the cheating narrative, writing “I think if we’ve learned anything today it is that no matter how long you’ve played the game you can still unintentionally break a rule in golf and it doesn’t mean you were trying to cheat…just saying…for no reason at all.” She referenced her own experience at the 2025 Internet Invitational where she received a penalty for unknowingly stomping down tall grass, using it to illustrate how easy it is for even experienced players to make honest mistakes on the course. Her comment “He’s innocent” on a related podcast post quickly went viral, helping calm some of the heated debate.

The Women’s Golf Journal article highlights how the controversy unfolded amid high stakes at Royal Birkdale, with DeChambeau aiming for his third major title. While the penalty cost him momentum, the American star remained focused on the weekend rounds. Spiranac’s intervention has been praised by many in the golf community for promoting fairness and understanding of the game’s complex rules, reminding everyone that golf’s integrity relies on honest intent rather than perfection in every moment.