DeChambeau's Open Penalty Sparks Trump Intervention Attempt
Golfer's two-shot sanction at The Open leads to a rejected call to former US President Donald Trump and fan backlash.
Carla Rooney
Golfer Bryson DeChambeau received a two-shot penalty for inadvertently improving his lie on the fifth hole during The Open, a decision that prompted him to threaten withdrawal from the tournament.
The two-stroke sanction prevented Bryson DeChambeau from securing a top-six finish, a position worth approximately £450,000.
Without the penalty, his final standing shifted significantly, directly altering his prize money.
Golf analyst Geoff Shackelford confirmed DeChambeau requested Donald Trump's involvement to resolve his penalty during discussions with R&A officials.
Shackelford stated DeChambeau sought to telephone former President Donald Trump during a standoff with R&A officials, believing Trump might overturn the two-stroke penalty.
DeChambeau sought to telephone former President Donald Trump during a standoff with R&A officials, believing Trump might overturn the two-stroke penalty.
R&A officials refused DeChambeau permission to call Donald Trump, maintaining the integrity of the rules.
His protestations proved fruitless; the penalty remained in place.
This incident represents a rare challenge to on-course rulings by external political influence within golf's major championships, a sport historically governed by its own strict codes.
The R&A's firm stance upholds the sport's established rulebook, a tradition spanning centuries of competition.
Beyond the immediate debate, DeChambeau's relationship with Donald Trump includes playing golf together and appearing on DeChambeau's YouTube channel.
He also served on Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, solidifying a pre-existing connection between the two figures.
Donald Trump previously attempted to intervene in sporting decisions; he contacted FIFA to review a red card suspension for Folarin Balogun.
Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to urge Balogun's participation, later boasting that things 'worked out much better' after his intervention.
Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to urge Balogun's participation, later boasting that things 'worked out much better' after his intervention.
Despite DeChambeau's efforts, R&A CEO Mark Darbon confirmed he had not received a call from President Trump regarding the incident at The Open.
Donald Trump did not intervene in the penalty situation.
DeChambeau visited Mark Darbon in the championship office after his round on Saturday, where officials declined his request to gain possession of his scorecard from the previous day.
Tee times for Saturday saw delays as DeChambeau protested his punishment, creating a disruption to the tournament schedule.
Spectators booed and chanted at DeChambeau on the 18th green on Sunday, with some shouting 'cheat'.
Marshals stationed around the green expressed unhappiness with fans participating in the chants.
DeChambeau posted a message on Instagram expressing pride in his fight through the week and thanking his supporters.
He finished The Open in a tie for 14th place; Ryan Fox won the championship with a score of 10-under par, while Rory McIlroy concluded the tournament at one-under par.
The incident also highlights DeChambeau's professional future, as RIATH AL-SAMARRAI noted his LIV contract expires at the end of this season.
The PGA Tour has done nothing to indicate a desperation to have DeChambeau back, suggesting a complex landscape for his next career move.