Report: Bryson DeChambeau wanted Donald Trump involved in Open penalty dispute

Bryson DeChambeau reportedly asked for U.S. President Donald Trump to be brought into discussions over the two-shot penalty that overshadowed his challenge at The Open, according to veteran golf writer Geoff Shackelford.

The LIV Golf star became the biggest talking point of Friday's second round at Royal Birkdale after being penalised two strokes for breaching Rule 8.1 by inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing before playing his second shot on the par-4 5th.

The controversial penalty transformed what had initially been a superb 66 into a 68, dropping DeChambeau from 7-under par and within one shot of the lead to 5-under par, three strokes behind.

Now, a stunning new report from The Quadrilateral's Geoff Shackelford claims DeChambeau attempted to take his appeal in an extraordinary direction.

According to Shackelford, sources familiar with the lengthy post-round discussions said DeChambeau wanted U.S. President Donald Trump to become involved as he argued against the ruling.

Shackelford wrote that DeChambeau "was pleading his case and wanted the President of the United States to weigh in."

The request reportedly came during a marathon process that lasted well over an hour.

Before the final decision was reached, R&A officials granted DeChambeau permission to return to the 5th hole to review the incident in the tall fescue rough alongside Executive Director of Governance Grant Moir and DP World Tour referee Mark Litton.

Following the on-course inspection, the discussions continued inside the Recorders' trailer with R&A Chief Executive Mark Darbon and Executive Director of Championships Johnnie Cole-Hamilton.

According to Shackelford's reporting, DeChambeau had not yet signed his scorecard during the 30-minute meeting, delaying processing for players who had finished later in the day and pushing confirmation of Saturday's tee times close to midnight.

The report states DeChambeau's request involving President Trump was rejected, as was his appeal against the penalty itself.

Television cameras captured animated scenes during the investigation (watch below), with DeChambeau gesturing in frustration while speaking with officials IN the rough where the incident occurred.

The length of the review, as much as the ruling itself, became a major talking point around Royal Birkdale.

DeChambeau initially threatened to withdraw from The Open, but despite voicing frustration and disappointment over his two-shot penalty, took to social media late Friday night to confirm he would still be teeing it up on Saturday. 

Separately, The Guardian reported that DeChambeau also asked to keep his signed scorecard following Friday's round, although the reason for the request was unclear.

Mixed reaction from players

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and 54-hole leader Sam Burns were among those who defended DeChambeau, suggesting the situation had been handled harshly.

Others disagreed. Rory McIlroy was one of the most outspoken critics of the lengthy process, and DeChambeau's actions. 

"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," said McIlroy, who also admitted DeChambeau was being "performative" and that he is "not particularly fond" of him (watch below). 

Golf Channel analysts Brandel Chamblee and Paul McGinley also backed the R&A's interpretation of the Rules of Golf, as did three-time Open champion Sir Nick Faldo, all agreeing the two-shot penalty was justified.

DeChambeau claimed to have not heard McIlroy's scathing criticism after being questioned by a reporter while on the move following the third round.

BBC Radio 5 Live questioned R&A chief about Trump

The Trump claim resurfaced on Saturday when BBC Radio 5 Live's Iain Carter asked R&A Chief Executive Mark Darbon whether he had received a phone call from the U.S. President regarding DeChambeau's case.

Trump made headlines in the sports world earlier this month after publicly urging FIFA to review United States striker Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension during the Club World Cup (a decision that eventually got overturned), prompting Carter to ask whether the President had intervened over DeChambeau's penalty.

"No," Darbon replied.

"I have not received a call from President Trump, and we'll see what happens from here."

Watch Darbon's reaction here:

DeChambeau shunned reporters all week at The Open

DeChambeau declined to speak with waiting reporters after each of his rounds at Royal Birkdale, although he did conduct a brief interview with an R&A media official following his opening 67, during which he appeared to mock Faldo by repeatedly emphasising the word "strategy."

The American eventually finished tied for 14th on 4-under par after closing with a 2-over-par 72 on Sunday.

DeChambeau did have some parting words to reporters as he packed his bags out of Southport, but it was brief. 

While his weekend at Birkdale proved disappointing, the result did end a run of three consecutive missed cuts in the majors.

DeChambeau and Trump have been friends for years

DeChambeau has long been one of Trump's most prominent supporters in professional golf. 

He has represented Trump Golf, celebrated his 2024 U.S. Open victory with the Trump family and currently serves on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

DeChambeau will immediately return to competition this week at LIV Golf UK, where attention is likely to remain on the controversy that dominated Friday evening at The Open.

Not only will his penalty be brought into question, and also McIlroy's remarks, but now a certain attempted phone call to Mr Trump.