Bryson DeChambeau could be heading for a remarkable reunion with Rory McIlroy at a tournament staged on Donald Trump’s own golf course.

The American has not ruled out playing in September’s Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, despite being subjected to a fierce public attack from McIlroy only days earlier.

Their latest exchange follows one of the most extraordinary rules disputes in recent major history, during which DeChambeau was accused of threatening to call the US president after officials refused to remove a two-stroke penalty.

According to GolfMagic’s report on DeChambeau’s latest response, the two-time US Open champion said he would consider playing in Ireland if the tournament could be fitted into his schedule.

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“I’d love to go play,” DeChambeau said.

“I love playing internationally and that’s what we do here at LIV.

“Anywhere I can go to support great golf in a good place, I’m all for.

“So we’ll see if it fits in and it makes sense for the schedule. That’s really all I have to say.”

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McIlroy makes unexpected invitation

DeChambeau’s response came after McIlroy surprisingly welcomed the possibility of his rival entering the Irish Open.

“Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open would be great for the tournament, absolutely,” McIlroy said.

The invitation represented a dramatic change in tone following McIlroy’s comments at Royal Birkdale, where he said he was “not particularly fond” of DeChambeau and accused him of seeking attention.

The pair could now meet again at a venue closely associated with the president whom DeChambeau allegedly attempted to involve in his Open Championship dispute.

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The DP World Tour’s official event page confirms that the Irish Open will be played at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg from September 10 to 13.

McIlroy will defend the title he won in 2025, while Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and the Højgaard brothers are among the other prominent names expected to compete.

Penalty sends DeChambeau into fury

The controversy began during the second round of The Open at Royal Birkdale.

DeChambeau’s drive at the fifth hole finished in thick rough. While preparing to play his next shot, he walked and took practice movements around the ball, flattening some of the long grass behind it.

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Tournament officials later ruled that his actions had improved the area of his intended swing in breach of Rule 8.1.

The punishment changed his score on the hole from a bogey to a triple bogey and turned an impressive round of 66 into a 68. Instead of entering the weekend one shot from the lead, DeChambeau was left three behind.

The R&A accepted that the breach had been accidental, but said intent was not required for a penalty to be imposed.

As explained in the PGA Tour’s account of the ruling, DeChambeau returned to the fifth hole with officials in an unsuccessful attempt to demonstrate why he believed the decision should be reversed.

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“What the prohibited action here is that the player mustn’t move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object,” R&A executive Grant Moir said.

The officials maintained their decision after inspecting the area.

Trump allegedly brought into the dispute

The argument continued when DeChambeau returned to the scoring area.

R&A chief executive Mark Darbon joined the discussions as the golfer continued to challenge the punishment.

It was during that exchange that DeChambeau allegedly said he would call Trump if the dispute was not resolved in his favour.

The allegation was first reported by golf journalist Geoff Shackelford and was subsequently covered by several international outlets. DeChambeau has not publicly confirmed that he made the threat.

As reported by The Guardian’s Ewan Murray, there is no evidence that DeChambeau actually placed a call to Trump. The R&A has declined to discuss the private contents of its conversations with the player.

Darbon was later asked directly whether he had heard from the president.

“No, I have not received a call from President Trump,” he said.

“Irrespective of which player this affected, it is the same decision. From a rules perspective it was clear cut.”

Close connection to the White House

The suggestion that DeChambeau might call Trump was particularly striking because of the close relationship between the two men.

They have played golf together, appeared publicly alongside one another and produced a widely watched video in which they attempted to complete a round in fewer than 50 strokes.

DeChambeau also serves as chairman of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. His position is documented in official White House material for the restored Presidential Fitness Test.

Trump had also intervened in another sporting disciplinary dispute shortly before The Open, contacting FIFA president Gianni Infantino after United States striker Folarin Balogun received a red card during the World Cup.

FIFA subsequently suspended the implementation of Balogun’s one-match ban, although the organisation denied that Trump had dictated the outcome.

That episode gave the alleged threat at Royal Birkdale a more serious dimension. It suggested that DeChambeau may have believed a presidential intervention could influence another major sporting authority.

McIlroy launches brutal public attack

The prolonged discussions also delayed the publication of the third-round starting times and prevented several players from completing the normal scorecard process.

McIlroy responded with a remarkably personal criticism of his rival.

“I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson,” McIlroy said.

“I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention.

“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.”

The comments were recorded in Sky Sports’ detailed examination of the controversy.

World number one Scottie Scheffler offered a more sympathetic assessment, insisting that DeChambeau was not a cheat and that the actions in the rough had not necessarily been deliberate.

The R&A’s position remained unchanged: whether deliberate or accidental, the flattened grass improved the conditions affecting the stroke.

Trump’s course could host explosive reunion

DeChambeau eventually finished tied for 14th at The Open, six shots behind winner Ryan Fox.

He largely avoided the traditional media duties at Royal Birkdale and initially addressed his week only through a short Instagram message.

“A lot of ups and downs this week, to say the least,” he wrote.

“But I’m proud of the way I fought through it.”

His new comments have now created the possibility of another high-profile chapter in his rivalry with McIlroy.

The setting would be difficult to script more perfectly.

A player accused of threatening to call Trump could return to face his most vocal critic at an Irish Open played on a Trump-owned course.

DeChambeau has not confirmed his participation, and the central allegation from Royal Birkdale remains unanswered.

But after a penalty, a presidential threat and a furious public attack, one of golf’s most bitter rivalries may be heading directly into Trump territory.