Story perspectives

DeChambeau penalized, seeks Trump help; R&A denies.

7/21/2026

Summary

DeChambeau Calls Trump

Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty at Royal Birkdale for improving the fifth-hole swing area, turning his 66 into 68.
During a 40-minute dispute DeChambeau asked officials to involve President Donald Trump.
R&A executive director Grant Moir rejected the request, saying the rule applies regardless of intent, while R&A chief executive Mark Darbon confirmed Trump never called.

Summary

DeChambeau Protest Delays

The dispute caused a half-hour delay that held up later groups, preventing on-time scorecard signing and delaying tee times.
Rory McIlroy called the protest “performative” and said it held the Open hostage.
Scottie Scheffler defended DeChambeau as “not a cheater”.
Nick Faldo praised the R&A’s decision.
Bryson DeChambeau posted on Instagram that he was proud of his fight, thanked supporters, and refused media interviews for the eighth straight major round.

Summary

Trump Pressures FIFA

Bryson DeChambeau used his White House Council seat to contact U.S. President Donald Trump during his penalty dispute and regularly features the president on his YouTube channel.
U.S. President Donald Trump pressured FIFA President Gianni Infantino to suspend a red-card ban on striker Folarin Balogun.
Analysts view the episode as a cultural shift from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, which R&A officials called an unprecedented convergence of golf and geopolitics.

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DeChambeau Calls Trump

Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty at Royal Birkdale for improving the fifth-hole swing area, turning his 66 into 68.
During a 40-minute dispute DeChambeau asked officials to involve President Donald Trump.
R&A executive director Grant Moir rejected the request, saying the rule applies regardless of intent, while R&A chief executive Mark Darbon confirmed Trump never called.

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