Bryson DeChambeau wanted to involve United States President Donald Trump in his rules controversy at The Open.
The two-time major winner was handed a two-shot penalty late on Friday night after officials reviewed footage and decided he had improved the area of his backswing by flattening down some long grass on Royal Birkdale's fifth hole.
It is understood that DeChambeau threatened to call Trump during lengthy discussions with the R&A regarding the penalty, which dropped him from second place and two off the lead on Friday.
The golfer is a friend of Trump, serving on the President’s council on sports, fitness and nutrition, making his last White House appearance in May, and has played golf with him.
Trump asked football’s world governing body FIFA to review the red card shown to US forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, with the player’s one-match ban subsequently being suspended, and DeChambeau wanted a similar intervention.
While the call did not take place at the time, it is not known whether DeChambeau made contact 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 in the championship office where his request to gain possession of his scorecard from the previous day was declined.
The R&A did not comment on either issue.
DeChambeau finished 14th, six shots behind champion Ryan Fox, and refused to speak to the waiting media for the eighth successive major round.
He posted on Instagram: "A lot of ups and downs this week, to say the least. But I’m proud of the way I fought through it.
"Thank you to all my supporters for carrying me through. Onwards and upwards from here. Congratulations to @ryanfoxgolfer on an incredible win!"
Meanwhile, Mobii Systems Group Ltd., which provided the "Any Shot, Any Time" live features during LIV Golf's broadcasts, sued golf league for $1.13 million last week, referencing unpaid invoices and lost revenue, ESPN reported.
The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Miami on Friday, claims that LIV did not pay the Canada-based technology company its $820,600 licensing fee and a $104,500 usage fee for the 2026 season.
Mobii is also seeking $209,531 in lost revenue after LIV informed the company it would no longer be using the product for its final six events of the 2026 season, the lawsuit claims.
LIV did pay all fees for the 2025 season, the first year of its two-year deal with Mobii, which was set to expire on 31 December, 2026.
After Mobii's legal team sent a demand for payment notice on 8 May, giving LIV until 15 May , LIV senior vice president of technology Nick Connor notified Mobii on 25 May that the LIV would no longer continue using the ASAT technology for the final six events of its 2026 season, starting later that month at the South Korea event.
"We recognize that delays in payment have caused strain in our relationship, and we understand this is a frustrating time," Connor wrote.
"While we understand your frustration, our view is that litigating outstanding invoices will not be a productive use of either of our time and resources.
"Please know that this decision is not reflective of the quality of work or services provided, and we are truly grateful for your partnership over the last several years."
Mobii terminated its agreement with LIV the day it received the notice.
The lawsuit is another hurdle in an uncertain future for LIV, with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund announcing in April that it would no longer fund the tour after investing more than $5 billion since its launch in 2022.
LIV and the PIF also were sued earlier this month for damages between $210 million and $630 million by the World Golf Group and Premier Golf League, who allege that they created the idea for a world golf league.
LIV CEO Scott O'Neil is attempting to raise $300 million in capital to keep LIV going in 2027.
Additional reporting: Reuters
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Source: RTE
