During the World Cup, U.S. men's national team striker Folarin Balogun inexplicably had his red card suspension rescinded after Donald Trump spoke to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The USMNT lost to Belgium anyway.
Evidently, Bryson DeChambeau wanted in on that treatment for himself.
DeChambeau was controversially assessed a two-stroke penalty in Friday's second round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Rules officials and The Open’s chief referee Grant Moir determined that DeChambeau illegally improved the line of his swing while he stepped on long grass behind his ball. Intent didn't play into the penalty either, as Moir explained.
Yet, DeChambeau refused to accept that determination and reportedly threatened to call Trump up while arguing his case.
Upon arrival back at the tournament scoring area and with the R&A unmoved, the chief executive, Mark Darbon, joined the conversation. During that, it is understood DeChambeau said he would phone Trump if the matter was not resolved in his favour. There is no evidence that call actually took place. DeChambeau skipped mainstream media duties throughout the Open. The R&A has not commented on the Trump connection, first reported by the Quadrilateral.
DeChambeau has golfed with Trump on numerous occasions, and LIV Golf has been known to hold events on Trump properties.
Still, it was unclear what exactly DeChambeau thought a phone call with Trump was going achieve in a tournament being played in the United Kingdom. Rory McIlroy also called out DeChambeau's handling of the whole ordeal.
DeChambeau ended up finishing in 14th place, six strokes off winner Ryan Fox.
Source: USA Today
