Golfer Bryson DeChambeau reportedly threatened to withdraw from the British Open and enlist the help of President Donald Trump to intervene in a controversial two-stroke penalty he received during the second round. The incident occurred on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
According to course architect Geoff Shackelford and other reports, DeChambeau argued that he had not improved his lie by stomping down heavy fescue grass behind his ball. Grant Moir, executive director of governance for The R&A, explained that the penalty was applied under Rule 8-1a, which prohibits a player from moving, bending, or breaking any growing or attached natural object, even if the action is accidental. Moir clarified that while players are allowed reasonable actions to take a stance, they must choose the least intrusive method and are not entitled to a normal stance or swing in such situations.
DeChambeau, a member of Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, later posted on X that he was "obviously disappointed" with the ruling but that it "fires me up." He finished the tournament, which was won by New Zealand's Ryan Fox.
This incident follows a reported instance earlier in July 2026 where Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding a controversial red card issued to American forward Folarin Balogun during the FIFA World Cup. Balogun was allowed to play in a subsequent match after the call, though the U.S. team was later eliminated.