Bryson DeChambeau threatened to call DONALD TRUMP over Open rule break weeks after he got Balogun World Cup ban dropped

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU threatened to call in Donald Trump during his 30 minute rant at Open officials over his two shot penalty at Birkdale. DeChambeau has regularly played golf with the US President, who notoriously put pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to get American striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban for a red card overturned – and succeeded! Bryson DeChambeau threatened to call Donald Trump after being handed a penalty at The Open Credit: Sky Sports The American has played golf with the US President in the past Credit: Getty That was an unprecedented move, and it provoked widespread condemnation throughout the game. Dechambeau’s attempt to intimidate R&A officials was met with an assurance that it would do him no good. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! He was told the evidence that he improved his lie in thick rough by trampling down the grass behind his ball was overwhelming – and it did not matter whether he did it accidentally or otherwise. That occurred on the fifth hole in round two, and despite his protests DeChambeau’s score was amended from a 65 to a 67. It pushed him three shots behind halfway leader Lucas Herbert instead of just one. The double US Open champion dropped further back over the weekend. He closed with rounds of 69 and a two over par 72 to finish in a share of 14th place, six shots adrift of first time Major winner Ryan Fox The R&A’s stance received overwhelming support, with Rory Mcilroy among the players condemning the Yank for another threat, that he might pull out of the tournament if the penalty stood. That led to a long delay in publishing the third round tee times, leaving players, caddies, and course marshalls wondering what time they needed to be at the course. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Trump already intervened at the World Cup after Folarin Balogun’s ban was suspended Credit: Reuters McIlroy accused DeChambeau of “holding the Open to hostage”. The world No 2 added: “I won’t pretend to defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it is for attention.” The day after DeChambeau’s angry protests, R&A boss Mark Darbon was asked if he had been contacted by Trump, as rumours began circulating that the golfer had threatened to get him involved. Darbon replied: “No. I have not received a call from president Trump, and we’ll see what happens from here.” But there is no doubt DeChambeau “tried to play the Trump card”. His close links with the president were obvious when DeChambeau celebrated his 2024 US Open success over McIlroy with the Trump family. He also serves on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. DeChambeau has been criticised over his protests after being given a two-shot penalty Credit: PA Rory McIlroy led the big names condemning him after a 30-minute rant at officials Credit: Getty Despite his shameful protests over what was a clear-cut rules violation, DeChambeau insists he deserves credit for his efforts at Birkdale, especially after missing the cut in each of the first three Majors this year. He said: “Even with what happened on Friday on the fifth hole, I still stuck it out. “I was definitely having thoughts of what I should do, and I said: ‘You know what, I’ve got to go out and play my absolute best’. I hope that’s a testament to not giving up when adversity comes your way. “That’s what I wanted to prove to myself – that I’m not a quitter. I’m not somebody that wants to do that. I want to give my all every single week,. And that’s what I did.” Comment now