{"id":39810,"date":"2026-07-20T06:09:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T06:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/39810\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T06:09:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T06:09:14","slug":"the-open-2026-scottie-scheffler-free-ball-drop-sparks-golf-rules-controversy-ryan-fox-wins-in-thriller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/39810\/","title":{"rendered":"The Open 2026: Scottie Scheffler free ball drop sparks golf rules controversy, Ryan Fox wins in thriller"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scottie Scheffler was the beneficiary of a very favourable call in the final round of The Open Championship in the latest chapter of a rules controversy that has been the talk of the weekend.<\/p>\n

Scheffler carded six birdies in a final round of 67 and was in the hunt for victory at Royal Birkdale but three bogeys on the back nine left the defending champion with too much to do as he finished at seven under after a rollercoaster final round. <\/p>\n

Watch every round of The Open Championship LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

The world number one\u2019s defence of the Claret Jug has been blighted by poor putting.<\/p>\n

Scheffler began the final round six back, but halved that deficit with three birdies in his opening five holes.<\/p>\n

But bogeys at the 13th, 15th and 18th ensured he will end 2026 without adding to his four major wins.<\/p>\n

There was drama on the 17th hole when Scheffler\u2019s wayward drive went past the hospitality area and his ball could not be found. <\/p>\n

But after lengthy discussions between Scheffler, his caddie and officials, he was allowed a free ball drop without a penalty stroke, and went on to birdie the par-5 hole.<\/p>\n

The decision not to hand Scheffler a penalty, because his ball landed past the hospitality are, has sparked debate around golf\u2019s Temporary Immovable Obstruction (TIO) rules.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rules official said it landed just barely left of the grandstand thing. I don\u2019t know what you call that, like a sponsor area or something,\u201d Scheffler said after his final round. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we get up there, it\u2019s past the fence that marks the TIO, so he said anything that\u2019s in there is it part of the TIO. <\/p>\n

\u201cI said, if I find it, does that help me; can I drop it \u2014 since that would be about 50 yards closer to the hole. He said, yes, you can then use that spot, but you might have to go to the other side of the TIO, which I didn\u2019t know exactly where that would be, and that\u2019s not a great angle coming across there.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo decided to stop the search and go back and drop it doing point-of-entry TIO relief. Actually I did that once this year during the Byron as well. Not something I\u2019m proud of but I was familiar with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scheffler added: \u201cI stopped them (looking for his ball). They had guys pointing from up there, like it landed right here, and I just kind of hauled up there, and I was like, guys, get out of there, stop, do not find the ball. <\/p>\n

\u201cFortunately it was my security guy that I\u2019ve had for a few years here. I said, please don\u2019t look for the ball, they got out of there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The incident is sure to reignite a golf rules debate after Bryson DeChambeau was handed a controversial two-shot penalty<\/a> for stepping on grass to improve his backswing from the rough during his second round.<\/p>\n

That penalty ultimately did not prove decisive in the destiny of the championship. <\/p>\n

DeChambeau\u2019s final round challenge fell away with a triple bogey seven at the 11th to fall to four under with four holes remaining.<\/p>\n

New Zealand\u2019s Ryan Fox fired four birdies on the back nine, including a clutch birdie on the 18th hole to win The Open Championship in thrilling fashion.<\/p>\n

Fox carded a two-under round of 68 to finish at 10-under and claim his maiden major victory. <\/p>\n

American Cameron Young was the clubhouse leader at 9-under after a blistering round of 64 and it looked like a three-hole playoff was on the cards, before Fox made sure of his victory on the 72nd hole. <\/p>\n

The wait since 1992 for an English winner of the British Open is set to continue after Tommy Fleetwood finished in a tie for fourth with Scheffler at 7-under <\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy was never truly in contention to land his seventh major and ended with a 71 to finish at one under par for the tournament. <\/p>\n

\u201cAny time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey,\u201d said the world number two. <\/p>\n

\u201cJust one of those weeks I couldn\u2019t get it going.\u201d <\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s Lucas Herbert finished tied for sixth after shooting 1-over in his final round.<\/p>\n

– With AFP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Scottie Scheffler was the beneficiary of a very favourable call in the final round of The Open 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