Professional American Golfer Bryson DeChambeau held up play at the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Friday, attempting to involve President Donald Trump in a dispute over a two-stroke penalty.
Officials reviewed video from the 5th hole showing DeChambeau appearing to “purposefully stomp” grass behind his ball to clear a swing path, according to CBS Sports‘ Robby Kalland.
R&A executive director Grant Moir explained, “Bryson has been penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing.”
“I would reiterate: This rule applies even when there’s no intention to improve the area, as was the case with Bryson.”
DeChambeau pushed to have Trump brought into the penalty discussion, a request officials denied, preventing the late finishers from signing scorecards past midnight, according to The Quadrilateral.
R&A Chief Executive Mark Darbon alleged he did not receive a call from Trump, in conversation with the BBC Radio 5 on Saturday, according to The Quadrilateral.
The penalty dropped DeChambeau from solo second to tied for fifth, three shots off the lead.
The Pro golfer serves as chairman of Trump’s President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, according to Pro Golf Weekly, and represents Trump Golf, reports The Quadrilateral.
“To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look,” four-time major champion Rory McIlroy told reporters.
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