The buzz around Royal Birkdale this weekend isn't just about the leaderboard—it's about whether President Donald Trump will pick up the phone and help Bryson DeChambeau escape a costly penalty. After a stellar 4-under 66 on Friday, DeChambeau was slapped with a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the 5th hole, dropping him to 5-under par and three shots off the lead.
Video from USA Network showed DeChambeau's ball stuck in the fescue, and he inadvertently moved a natural object during his backswing. The R&A quickly enforced Rule 8.1a, which prohibits players from moving, bending, or breaking anything in the area of their swing—even unintentionally. DeChambeau was furious, and some fans believe Trump, a known golf enthusiast and friend of the two-time U.S. Open champion, could ride to the rescue.
“I wonder if Bryson DeChambeau will ask Trump to call the R&A,” one fan posted on X. Another wrote, “Donald Trump needs to make a call on this Bryson DeChambeau ruling.” A third added, “Trump is gonna make the call and get that Bryson DeChambeau penalty stroke removed by the morning.”
This isn't just wishful thinking. Earlier this month, Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review a red card given to USMNT star Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. The intervention led to a review, and Trump later boasted about it at a White House briefing. That precedent has fans hoping the president will do the same for DeChambeau, especially given their shared love for golf.
DeChambeau's reaction to the penalty was dramatic. He argued with the rules official on the 5th hole and reportedly threatened to withdraw from the tournament. When a reporter asked if he'd play Saturday, DeChambeau smiled and walked away without a word. His frustration is understandable—he was in prime position to contend for the Claret Jug, and the penalty now leaves him three strokes behind leader Lucas Herbert.
While there's no official word from the White House, the sports world is watching closely. Trump has already shown he's willing to wade into sports controversies, from FIFA's backing of his World Cup role to his son Barron's soccer fandom. But golf is a different beast—the R&A is famously independent, and overturning a rules decision mid-tournament would be unprecedented.
Still, the idea of a presidential call to save DeChambeau's Open has captured fans' imaginations. Social media is buzzing with memes and mock phone conversations. Some are even comparing it to Jordan Spieth's putting disaster earlier this week, though DeChambeau's issue is with the officials, not his own game.
For now, DeChambeau is expected to tee off Saturday, but the drama is far from over. If Trump does get involved, it could be one of the most talked-about moments in Open history. If not, DeChambeau will have to channel his frustration into a charge up the leaderboard. Either way, Royal Birkdale just got a whole lot more interesting.
