Bryson DeChambeau’s eventful week at the 2026 British Open took another unexpected turn after reports emerged that the American golfer wanted to contact President Donald Trump in an effort to challenge a controversial two-stroke penalty.
The incident unfolded during the second round at Royal Birkdale when DeChambeau was penalized for improving his lie on the fifth hole. Officials determined that the LIV Golf star had violated Rule 8.1 by changing conditions that affected his stance and swing.
The ruling transformed what had originally been a bogey into a triple bogey, causing a major setback on the leaderboard.
DeChambeau was unhappy with the decision and made his frustration clear while discussing the ruling with officials. According to reports, the golfer asked whether he could call Trump in hopes of getting assistance in overturning the penalty.
However, that request was not approved, and there is no indication that the president was ever contacted about the matter.
The reported request immediately attracted attention because of the close relationship between DeChambeau and Trump. The two have played golf together on several occasions, while Trump has also appeared on DeChambeau’s YouTube channel.
Their connection has been widely discussed within the golf world, particularly since DeChambeau became one of the most recognizable players associated with LIV Golf.
British Open penalty cost DeChambeau significant prize money
The two-stroke penalty proved extremely costly for DeChambeau, both competitively and financially. The lost shots pushed him away from a potential top-six finish and reduced his prize earnings by more than $300,000.
Had he finished at six-under-par instead of four-under, he could have collected roughly $550,000. Instead, his tied-14th finish earned him around $234,325.
The controversy also drew comparisons to another recent sporting situation involving Trump. Earlier in the summer, Trump reportedly played a role in helping overturn a suspension involving United States soccer player Folarin Balogun after speaking with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
That incident fueled debate about whether presidential influence could affect sporting decisions.
Despite DeChambeau’s efforts, the R&A refused to change its decision. Officials maintained that the penalty was applied correctly, and several prominent figures in golf agreed with the ruling.
Rory McIlroy later stated that the penalty was justified, reinforcing the view that the governing body had made the correct call.
Following the decision, DeChambeau continued to push his argument by returning to speak with senior R&A officials, including chief executive Mark Darbon. Reports suggest he asked for his second-round scorecard afterward, although that request was also denied.
DeChambeau did not allow the controversy to end his week in the United Kingdom. He stayed on to compete in LIV Golf’s event at JCB Golf and Country Club, continuing his schedule despite the disappointment.
While the penalty prevented him from achieving a stronger result at Royal Birkdale, his tied-14th finish was still his best showing in a major championship during 2026.
However, the unusual decision to reportedly mention Trump during his appeal has ensured the incident will remain one of the most talked-about moments from this year’s Open Championship.
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