Bryson DeChambeau found himself at the center of a heated controversy during The Open Championship after officials imposed a two‑stroke penalty for an alleged breach of the rules on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale. The penalty, handed out late on Friday night, stemmed from video review that suggested DeChambeau had deliberately flattened a patch of long grass during his backswing, thereby improving his lie.
The sanction dropped him from a position just one shot off the lead to a tie for fifth place, three strokes behind the leader. According to several media outlets, the American’s frustration with the decision led him to consider contacting former President Donald Trump for assistance.
Reports claim that during protracted discussions with the R&A – the governing body responsible for The Open – DeChambeau threatened to place a call to Trump, hoping the former president might intervene on his behalf. The notion of involving a political figure in a golf‑rules dispute has added a sensational layer to an already dramatic situation. DeChambeau’s ties to Trump are well documented.
He serves on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, a role that has brought him to the White House on multiple occasions, including a visit in May of this year. He has also been photographed playing a round of golf with Trump, underscoring a personal connection that could make a phone call plausible.
In a separate incident, Trump intervened in a FIFA decision concerning a red‑card incident involving U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, prompting the suspension of the player’s one‑match ban.
Observers noted the parallel, suggesting DeChambeau might have been hoping for a similar high‑level intervention. While the alleged call never materialised – at least not publicly – the question of whether DeChambeau made any private contact with the former president remains unanswered. On Saturday, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon was asked by reporters if Trump had reached out, and he responded unequivocally: “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 statement was relayed to BBC Sport, which confirmed the R&A’s stance that the penalty was justified and that no external influence had altered the outcome.
In the aftermath of the penalty, DeChambeau reportedly visited the R&A’s championship office after completing his third round. During that meeting, he sought to retrieve his scorecard from the previous day, a request that was denied. The R&A has not commented further on that particular exchange, leaving the details of the conversation largely speculative.
The fallout from the incident extended beyond the immediate penalty. DeChambeau’s next scheduled appearance will be 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 obligations, perhaps indicating a desire to keep a low profile after the controversy.
Despite the drama, DeChambeau managed to finish the tournament tied for 14th place, six strokes behind the eventual champion, Ryan Fox. This result broke a streak of three consecutive missed cuts in major championships and averted what some had dubbed the "Bryson Slam" – the unlikely scenario of missing all four majors in a single season. His performance, however, was marked by a noticeable reluctance to engage with the media. For the eighth straight major round, he declined post‑round interviews, a pattern that also held true during his missed cuts at the PGA Championship and the U.S.
Open. Reflecting on the week’s turbulence, DeChambeau posted on Instagram, "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!" The message conveyed a mixture of humility and determination, acknowledging both the challenges he faced and the support he received.
The broader golf community weighed in on the controversy as well. World No.
1 Scott Scheffler defended DeChambeau, emphasizing that the American is "not a cheater" and suggesting that the penalty was a straightforward application of the rules rather than a targeted attack. In contrast, Rory McIlroy was far more critical. He described the whole episode as "performative" and expressed personal dislike for DeChambeau, stating, "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." The incident raises broader questions about the role of high‑profile athletes in influencing rule enforcement and the potential for political figures to become involved in sporting disputes.
While the R&A’s decision appears firmly rooted in the video evidence, the mere suggestion of a presidential call highlights how modern sports can intersect with politics and media spectacle. Whether DeChambeau’s alleged outreach was a genuine plea for help or a strategic bluff remains unknown, but the episode underscores the intense pressure elite golfers face when navigating the fine line between competitive advantage and regulatory compliance.
In the weeks ahead, DeChambeau will likely focus on his upcoming LIV Golf commitments, aiming to put the controversy behind him and concentrate on his game. Meanwhile, the R&A will continue to enforce its rules with the same rigor, reinforcing that even the most prominent players are subject to the same standards as everyone else on the course. The episode serves as a reminder that in professional golf, adherence to the rules is paramount, and any perceived attempt to circumvent them – whether through a phone call to a former president or otherwise – will be scrutinized closely by officials, peers, and the public alike.