Overview
- The R&A reviewed broadcast footage and on Friday assessed Bryson DeChambeau a two‑stroke penalty for inadvertently improving the area affecting his backswing on Royal Birkdale’s par‑4 fifth.
- DeChambeau loudly protested the ruling, reportedly threatened to withdraw from the tournament and, during roughly 30 minutes of discussion with R&A officials, asked that President Trump be involved in his appeal, according to multiple media reports.
- R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said he did not receive a call from President Trump and the governing body upheld the penalty, which changed DeChambeau’s second‑round score and did not alter the tournament winner.
- The dispute delayed the release of third‑round tee times and held up late finishers as DeChambeau delayed signing his scorecard before deciding to continue and finish tied for 14th.
- The episode has renewed debate about the growing role of TV replay in officiating, the limits of acceptable player protest, and how sports bodies should handle potential outside or political pressure given DeChambeau’s public ties to President Trump.