Bryson DeChambeau faced a two-stroke penalty at The Open Championship in 2026 for improving the conditions affecting his stroke, sparking accusations he threatened to call Trump to overturn the decision, though no evidence of such a call exists.
Bryson DeChambeau’s second-round penalty at The Open Championship in 2026 became a focal point of controversy after the golfer allegedly threatened to contact Donald Trump to intervene in the ruling, according to multiple reports.
The Penalty That Sparked a Storm
DeChambeau’s penalty stemmed from his actions on the par-4 fifth hole during the second round at Royal Birkdale. Television footage showed him repeatedly stepping on grass and shuffling his feet behind his ball in thick rough, flattening the terrain in the area where his backswing would pass. Officials said he’d unintentionally improved the conditions affecting the stroke,
leading to a two-stroke penalty that shifted his score from 66 to 68 and dropped him from one shot off the lead to three back. The decision, which DeChambeau contested fiercely, became the dominant narrative of the tournament.
According to Forbes, DeChambeau argued with tournament officials for 30 minutes before the penalty was finalized. During this time, he demanded to visit the scene of the incident with the tournament organizer’s head of governance and a senior referee, insisting that the penalty be overturned. The golfer’s frustration culminated in an alleged threat to contact Trump, a close personal friend, to pressure the decision.
DeChambeau’s Alleged Threat to Trump
The claim that DeChambeau threatened to call Trump emerged from reports by British media outlets and golf writer Geoff Shackelford, who wrote in his Substack, The Quadrilateral, that DeChambeau insisted Trump be brought into the conversation. However, no evidence confirmed that DeChambeau actually made the call, and tournament officials denied receiving any communication from the president.
DeChambeau’s representatives have not publicly addressed the allegations, but his actions during the incident drew sharp criticism. Rory McIlroy, who was competing in the tournament, called DeChambeau’s behavior “performative” and “for attention,” noting that the golfer’s delay in announcing his decision to continue playing disrupted the schedule. 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,
McIlroy said.
DeChambeau, 32, has long maintained a public friendship with Trump, a relationship that has been documented. The two have played rounds together at Trump-owned courses and appeared in a viral YouTube challenge in 2024. DeChambeau also endorsed Trump during the 2024 presidential election and serves on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
A Precedent for Presidential Involvement
The controversy over DeChambeau’s penalty drew comparisons to an incident where Trump successfully lobbied FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the suspension of U.S. player Folarin Balogun. The suspension was later overturned. Forbes noted that DeChambeau’s threat echoed this pattern, though no such intervention occurred in his case.
Despite the allegations, DeChambeau’s penalty was upheld, and he finished tied for 14th, his best major tournament finish so far in 2026. His performance came amid broader challenges for the LIV Golf league, which is seeking a $250 million lifeline as costs rise, per Forbes. DeChambeau, who is captaining a team in LIV Golf’s stop at the JCB Golf and Country Club, has not yet confirmed his future with the league.
What’s Next for DeChambeau?
While the penalty dispute has subsided, DeChambeau’s relationship with Trump and his outspoken nature continue to draw attention. The golfer, who earned an estimated $52 million last year according to Forbes, has positioned himself as a controversial figure in the sport. His comments on the penalty, including a post on X stating, Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. On to the weekend,
highlighted his stance.
As DeChambeau moves forward, the incident underscores the intersection of sports, politics, and public spectacle. With LIV Golf’s financial struggles and his own high-profile clashes, the golfer’s career remains a focal point of debate. Whether his alleged threat to Trump was a genuine attempt at influence or a publicity stunt, the episode has left a mark on this year’s Open.
Sources: Forbes, The Guardian.
