Bryson DeChambeau is threating to quit The Open Championship after copping a two-shot penalty for improving his lie early in bizarre post-round scenes after his stirring second round run at Royal Birkdale.

The American, who initially carded a 4-under 67 to sit one shot behind Australian leader Lucas Herbert, was summoned by tournament officials after his round.

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After drawing a massive roar with a birdie at the last hole, the dual US Open champion was spotted looking bemused outside the tournament director’s office at 8.40pm local time.

Moments later the LIV Golf superstar and his caddy jumped into two carts and zoomed off, passing a crowd of fans chanting his name along the way.

The on course broadcaster captured DeChambeau in a spirited discussion with tournament officials close to 9pm in the rough beside the fifth fairway, where the American had earlier been in a world of trouble after a wayward tee shot.

The officials deemed that DeChambeau had stamped down on the tall grass behind his ball to improve his lie when he had stood behind it to get a line of sight.

R&A rules official Grant Moir said: “Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of intended backswing on fifth hole.”

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard has since reported on Live from The Open that DeChambeau is undecided as to whether he will keep playing in the tournament, saying he will make a final decision on Saturday morning local time before the third round begins.

Prominent golf commentator Brandel Chamblee slammed the news as “childish”, “immature” and said “it’s an absolutely ridiculous reaction”.

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“The rules officials did exactly what they were meant to do. The evidence is very clear and that’s why the rules officials stood their ground, and did the right thing,” Chamblee added.

“Bryson needs to except the consequences of his action, even if it was accidental.”

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Moir explained the ruling by saying: “Ruling one restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke, and this includes the area of the player’s intended swing.

“So, an improvement means to alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke. So that the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke. With stress, this applies even when the action was accidental in Bryson’s case.

“The area of intended swing includes the entire area that might reasonably affect any part of the backswing, the downswing or the completion of the swing for the intended stroke.

“What the prohibited action here is that any player must not move bend or break any growing or attached or natural object.

“A player is allowed to fairly take their stance by taking reasonable actions to get to the ball and take a stance if, in some situations, that improves the conditions affecting the stroke. But when doing so the player must take the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation, and is not entitled to a normal stance or swing.

“I would reiterate, this rule applies even when there is no intention, as was the case with Bryson.”

The two-time US Open champion protested and was visibly outraged.

Lipreaders on social media even shared that DeChambeau appeared to say that he would boycott the remainder of the tournament if the penalty was enforced.

“I’m just not going to play tomorrow,” he appeared to say.

That appears to not be the case, however, as he again refused to speak to the media but went straight to the driving range once the saga was completed.

“Are you guys having a great night?” DeChambeau asked awaiting journalists.

“I’m having a great night.”

He then refused to answer if he’s playing tomorrow.

“I’m off to hit some balls,” he said before heading off to the range.

DP World Tour rules referee Graeme Storm explained the ruling to the BBC.

“He’s improved the line of play for his club to be able to hit the golf ball. That’s what they’re investigating,” he said.

“Whether that’s intentional doesn’t really matter. If you improve your line of play you’re improving your lie so basically you get the general penalty of two shots.

“From what video evidence I’ve seen it looked like he’s improved his line of play by stepping back on the long grass behind his line of play because he’s looked down at it. He should get the general penalty which is two shots.”

Former Australian professional Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley told Sky Sports what he believed DeChambeau may have argued.

“The thing for me and I am not going to defend anyone here. I can’t see how Bryson is going to get penalised without a camera directly behind him. There’s his defence,” Riley said.