The 2024 US Open was one of the most dramatic major championships in the sport’s history.

Rory McIlroy attempted to break his major-winning drought at Pinehurst No. 2 against his rival, Bryson DeChambeau, on Sunday. He missed short putts down the stretch, opening the door for DeChambeau, who hit one of the best bunker shots in recent memory on 18 to snatch the trophy. 

The event lives in memory as one of McIlroy’s biggest chokes on the major stage, and a flashpoint in the feud between DeChambeau and the Northern Irishman. And as if the event wasn’t controversial enough already, DeChambeau was accused of using an illegal club after he won his second major.

Bryson DeChambeau was accused of using an illegal putter by PGA Tour caddie

DeChambeau has had a series of putting controversies in his career. He feuded with the USGA over his side-saddle putter back in 2017, beefed with Brooks Koepka over his slow play on the greens, and was accused of using an illegal putter at the 2024 US Open. 

After his win at Pinehurst No. 2, veteran PGA Tour caddie Kip Henley posted to twitter, “”If I’m a player around the lead in the US Open, I would ask the USGA to check the specs on this putter.

“The shaft has to lean away from the head at least 10 degrees. It sure looks vertical. Not being a —- or hate him at all, but it is a rule.”

The USGA deemed DeChambeau to be using a non-conforming putter in 2017 after he trialed a side-saddle stance, but this was only after he sent the putter to the governing body for approval. Any club put in the bag must be approved, and that was certainly the case for DeChambeau’s arm-lock putter. 

That’s why Henley quickly walked back his comments when they gained traction on social media.

He said, “Jesus Mary and Joseph, you people have lost your minds!

“Don’t you think I would understand that Bryson’s equipment has been inspected 1,000 times, and his putter would certainly be conforming? It was a tongue-in-cheek tweet that I knew would rile some of you up. This is the easiest pot I ever stirred.”

Effectively, Henley played the “ha ha, only joking card” when the heat ramped up online. It’s not the sturdiest defense when you’ve accused a major champion of using an illegal club. If you’re going to make that type of claim on social media, you’d best be able to back it up.