The TD may have been making the rule based on:
803.02 Relief from Obstacles
That says a player MAY obtain relief, not that they have to take it. It is handy where there might be something that COULD cause harm to a player (bee's nest, thorn bushes, cacti, barbed wire) and allows the player to determine if they need to change their lie. And in this case the TD has provided 'greater relief' (up to 2 meters from the lie).
- A player may obtain relief from the following obstacles that are on or behind the lie: harmful insects or animals, people, or any item as designated by the Director. To obtain relief, the player may mark a new lie that is on the line of play, farther from the target, at the nearest point that provides relief (unless greater relief is announced by the Director).
But that isn't the question. It is implied that the additional meter (up to 2 meters of relief) is from an OB line when the lie is OB or near OB. This wasn't the case. Just a barbed wire remnant in the smack middle of inbounds. What say you?