Bryson DeChambeau has found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy surrounding the 2023 Open Championship, with several media outlets suggesting that he attempted to enlist former President Donald Trump to intervene in a rules dispute. The two‑time major champion was penalised by the R&A with a two‑stroke penalty late on Friday after officials reviewed video footage and concluded that he had altered the condition of his backswing area on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale by flattening a patch of long grass.
This penalty dropped DeChambeau from a position just one shot behind the leader to a tie for fifth place, three strokes off the top of the leaderboard. According to multiple reports, DeChambeau allegedly threatened to contact President Trump during an extended conversation with R&A officials about the penalty. The suggestion is that he wanted the President’s influence to be used in a manner similar to a recent incident involving the world football governing body FIFA. In that case, Trump intervened on behalf of U.S.
forward Folarin Balogun, prompting FIFA to review a red‑card decision that ultimately led to the suspension of the player’s one‑match ban. Observers noted that DeChambeau, who serves on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition and has previously played golf with Trump, might have hoped for a comparable level of political pressure. While the alleged phone call never materialised – at least not publicly – it remains unclear whether any private contact was ever made.
On Saturday, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon was asked whether Trump had reached out to the governing body, and he responded to BBC Sport, "No, I have not received a call from President Trump. Irrespective of which player this affected, it is the same decision – from a rules perspective it was clear‑cut." Darbon’s answer underscores the R&A’s stance that the penalty was based solely on the rules and not on any external influence. The controversy also extended to DeChambeau’s conduct after his third round.
Sky Sports News reports that he visited Darbon’s office in the championship headquarters on Saturday, seeking to retrieve his scorecard from the previous day. The request was denied, adding another layer of tension to an already fraught situation.
The R&A has yet to comment further on that particular request. DeChambeau’s performance on the weekend, however, provided a silver lining. After a string of three consecutive missed cuts in major championships – a run that would have resulted in a so‑called "Bryson Slam" had he missed all four majors in a single season – he managed to finish tied‑14th, six strokes behind the eventual champion, Ryan Fox.
The American’s resilience was evident as he declined to address the waiting media for the eighth straight major round, a pattern that mirrors his silence after missed cuts at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open.
In a brief Instagram post, DeChambeau reflected on the week’s turbulence: "A lot of ups and downs this week, to say the least. But I’m proud of the way I fought through it. Thank you to all my supporters for carrying me through. Onwards and upwards from here.
Congratulations to Ryan Fox on an incredible win!" His words suggest a focus on moving forward despite the surrounding drama. The incident also sparked reactions from fellow players. World No.
1 Scottie Scheffler defended DeChambeau, stating that the American is "not a cheater" and that the penalty was a straightforward application of the rules. Conversely, Rory McIlroy was more critical, labeling the episode "performative" and accusing DeChambeau of seeking attention.
McIlroy said, "I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him.
I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention.
To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look." Looking ahead, DeChambeau is scheduled to appear at the LIV Golf League event in England, set to begin at JCB Golf and Country Club on Thursday. Notably, he is not listed for any pre‑tournament media duties, perhaps indicating a desire to stay out of the spotlight while he refocuses on his game. The episode at The Open, with its mix of rule enforcement, alleged political outreach, and player‑to‑player commentary, adds another chapter to the ongoing conversation about how modern golf navigates the intersection of sport, media, and external influence.