American professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau has found himself on front pages across the world after an argument about the rules at the British Open 2026 allegedly ended with him warning tournament bosses he was going to “call Donald Trump”. The controversial incident occurred at Royal Birkdale in Southport on the west coast of England when R&A rule officials handed the 32-year-old a two-stroke penalty for “improving” the area in which he was about to take a backswing on the fifth hole. Bryson DeChambeau, who had earlier carded a four-under-par round of 66 to be sitting in second place, was dropped into fifth place after the round was reviewed.
In an attempt to have the penalty overturned, the two-time major champion suggested he might be seeking presidential help, citing previous rulings with a link to The White House and claiming he was “going to have to make a call” to Donald Trump.
Bryson DeChambeau has received a 2-shot penalty for improving his lie on the 5th hole.
Live From The Open is breaks down the incident now on Golf Channel ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/aktl1kK8dv
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2026
Royal Birkdale Rules Controversy And Two Shot Penalty Explained
It all kicked off when a video of Bryson emerged, trampling down long grass down the right-hand side of the fifth fairway during the second round at Royal Birkdale. Following analysis of the broadcast footage, tournament officials decided that Bryson DeChambeau, whether intentionally or not, had created conditions conducive to making his preferred swing, a contravention of Rule 8.
YouTube king Bryson DeChambeau reportedly wanted to try and call U.S. President Donald Trump during his rules controversy with R&A officials on Friday to see what he could do to help, but the request was denied, per Daily Mail.
Should this have been allowed? pic.twitter.com/aWkQszFBx5
— Ways To Golf (@WaysToGolf) July 20, 2026
R&A executive director of governance Grant Moir stated that Bryson was given a two-shot penalty for “creating an advantage by changing the conditions under which the stroke is to be played”, transforming his bogey 5 into a triple bogey 7. DeChambeau entered a lively debate with officials and, brandishing a club, returned to the fifth hole to plead his case outside the R&A scoring tent.
Donald Trump Connection And R&A Chief Executive Response
Bryson DeChambeau shares a personal friendship with Donald Trump, serving on the President’s council on sports, fitness, and nutrition and making a White House appearance in May. The American star desired a presidential intervention similar to when Donald Trump requested FIFA to review a FIFA World Cup 2026 red card issued to USA forward Folarin Balogun, which resulted in the football governing body suspending the one-match ban. However, Donald Trump did not get involved in the British Open decision.
