Paris Soir - DeChambeau threatened to call Trump over British Open penalty: reports

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	-0.3%	21.725	$
BCC	1.77%	77.84	$
CMSD	-0.09%	21.98	$
RELX	4.5%	34.41	$
BTI	1.84%	60.96	$
BCE	0.42%	21.3	$
GSK	1.19%	51.35	$
RBGPF	-1.11%	66	$
RIO	-0.32%	91.22	$
NGG	-0.09%	82.3	$
JRI	1.23%	13.06	$
BP	-0.25%	43.82	$
VOD	-0.66%	15.15	$
RYCEF	-1.05%	18.17	$
AZN	0.58%	169.26	$

DeChambeau threatened to call Trump over British Open penalty: reports

SPORTS 20.07.2026

DeChambeau threatened to call Trump over British Open penalty: reports / Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN - AFP

Bryson DeChambeau reportedly threatened to call US president Donald Trump in a bid to resolve his rules row at the British Open.

Text size:

DeChambeau was given a two-shot penalty on Friday after tournament officials ruled he had improved the area of his backswing by flattening down some long grass on Royal Birkdale's fifth hole.

The 32-year-old American is believed to have hinted he would call Trump during lengthy discussions with the officials regarding the penalty, which dropped him from second place and two off the lead on Friday.

The two-time major winner is a friend of Trump, serving on the President's council on sports, fitness and nutrition, playing golf with him and making an appearance at the White House in May.

Trump asked FIFA to review a red card shown to USA forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, and football's world governing body suspended the player's one-match ban.

DeChambeau wanted a similar intervention, but Trump apparently did not get involved on this occasion.

It is not known whether DeChambeau made contact with Trump privately, but on Saturday R&A chief executive Mark Darbon was asked whether the President had been in touch.

"No, I have not received a call from President Trump," he told BBC Sport.

"Irrespective of which player this affected, it is the same decision – from a rules perspective it was clear cut."

It is understood that after his round on Saturday, DeChambeau visited Darbon, where his request to gain possession of his scorecard from the previous day was declined.

Rory McIlroy responded to the DeChambeau's penalty by calling his rival's antics "preformative".

DeChambeau finished the tournament in 14th place, six shots behind champion Ryan Fox, and refused to speak to the waiting media on Sunday.

"A lot of ups and downs this week, to say the least. But I'm proud of the way I fought through it," DeChambeau said on Instagram.

"Thank you to all my supporters for carrying me through. Onwards and upwards from here. Congratulations to Ryan Fox on an incredible win!"

S.Denis--PS

Featured

Hiltz extends US 1,500 streak, Lyles advances in 200

Nikki Hiltz captured her fourth consecutive 1,500-meter US outdoor title while Noah Lyles and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden cruised into the 200m finals on Saturday at the US Athletics Championships.

Hodge, Hope give West Indies edge in rain-impacted Pakistan Test

Kavem Hodge's dogged unbeaten 83 and the support of Shai Hope in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand took the West Indies to 194 for three at the end of a rain-shortened first day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Saturday.

Beaten Ramsay-Peaty casts doubt on future as Australia rule Commonwealth pool

Adam Ramsay-Peaty's bid for gold at a fourth Commonwealth games fell short on Saturday as he was beaten into bronze in the 100m breaststroke on another golden night in Glasgow for Australia.

Scheffler surges at 3M Open with blistering back nine

World number one Scottie Scheffler surged back into contention at the 3M Open on Saturday with a stunning back nine featuring an eagle and five birdies.