Bryson DeChambeau reportedly sought Trump’s intervention over Open Championship penalty

By Jessica Bennett — 20 July 2026 — 3 min read

DeChambeau’s penalty and reported request

Bryson DeChambeau, a prominent figure in golf, reportedly sought the intervention of President Donald Trump regarding a two-stroke penalty he received during the Open Championship. This incident, which occurred during his second round, involved DeChambeau stomping on tall grass near his ball, an action deemed illegal under golf rules. The penalty ultimately changed his score from 66 to 68.

According to golf writer Geoff Shackelford, sources familiar with a discussion indicated that DeChambeau wanted the President to support a campaign against the penalty. DeChambeau and Trump share a close relationship, having played golf together previously. However, reports suggest that Trump declined DeChambeau’s request to intervene.

The White House has not yet commented on the matter. The request for intervention follows a previous instance where Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding a red card issued to Folarin Balogun of Team USA during the FIFA World Cup. That red card was suspended, allowing Balogun to play, though Belgium ultimately defeated the U.S. 4-1.

Controversy and player reactions

The penalty against DeChambeau sparked considerable discussion within the golf community. His manager, Brett Falkoff, stated that DeChambeau was considering withdrawing from the Open, emphasizing that his client was not a cheater. Falkoff’s remarks highlighted a broader debate between individual players and established golf institutions.

Fans at Royal Birkdale reportedly urged DeChambeau to challenge the golf establishment, with some expressing disdain for the tournament organizers. This sentiment reflects a perceived tension between powerful individual athletes and governing bodies like the R&A, which is seen by some as an old-fashioned institution.

Rory McIlroy commented on the situation, suggesting that DeChambeau’s actions were performative and aimed at gaining attention. McIlroy criticized DeChambeau for holding the tournament hostage by refusing to sign his second-round scorecard, stating it was not a positive image for the sport. McIlroy also noted the difficulty of policing every player, as not all shots are captured on camera, making golf largely a self-policing game.

The role of governing bodies

The incident brought into focus the role of golf’s governing bodies in enforcing rules. While some argue that an anti-establishment stance can push the sport to modernize, others emphasize the importance of institutions like the R&A in maintaining fair play. The R&A’s stated purpose is to open golf to the world, and enforcing rules is part of that mission.

Scottie Scheffler, another prominent golfer, indicated he had thoughts on DeChambeau’s ruling but had not yet decided to share them publicly. The discourse surrounding the penalty often questioned whether DeChambeau was under greater scrutiny than other players, rather than solely focusing on whether he had broken the rules.

The R&A’s decision to penalize DeChambeau was described as a necessary action to uphold the rules of the game. The challenge for governing bodies is to enforce rules consistently, especially when it involves popular players. DeChambeau finished the tournament tied for 14th place at Royal Birkdale. Ryan Fox of New Zealand secured his first major championship at the event.

Source: foxnews.com