When LIV Golf returned to the U.S. with an event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club near Washington, D.C. in June, two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau made headlines for far more than his leaderboard position.
In a visit to the White House, he not only hit golf shots on the South Lawn, but also offered a surprisingly warm appraisal of President Donald Trump’s golf swing. Trump has recently come under fire for seemingly lying about his golfing prowess.
A clip, shared by a White House aide, shows DeChambeau, who is looking forward to facing off against Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup, striking golf balls from the South Lawn — transformed into a temporary par‑3 course — landing neatly near the Rose Garden.
“Hitting in the White House was incredibly special,” DeChambeau later reflected. “I never thought in my life I’d get an opportunity to do that. But the president himself was like, ‘just go out there and hit some shots,’ and I’m like, ‘okay, yes sir.’”
He also had a surprising compliment for Trump’s game: “I admire how straight he hits the golf ball off the tee. It’s pretty impressive. For his age and how well he golfs, it’s admirable that he has the time to take care of the world’s problems and also be as good of a golfer as he is.”
This wasn’t their first golfing encounter. In a popular episode of DeChambeau’s YouTube ‘Break 50’ series, where he attempts to shoot a round in fewer than 50 strokes, Trump joined him at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Their rapport extends beyond content creation. In December 2017, DeChambeau played a round with President Trump and gifted him a set of clubs valued at $750.
In a significant expansion of his role in public life, DeChambeau has now stepped into government service. In July, President Trump signed an executive order restoring the Presidential Fitness Test and revitalizing the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, appointing DeChambeau as chair of the newly reestablished council.
In his new role, DeChambeau has embraced the added responsibility. He said, “I feel ‘called’ right now to do more than just play competitive golf,” estimating he dedicates “15 to 20% of his days” to these public service efforts.
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Among his priorities is modernizing the Presidential Fitness Test with,achievable goals for students; for example, motivating children who “can never do a pull-up” with a tiered award system to recognize progress and build confidence.
The council under DeChambeau’s leadership also aims to promote community infrastructure, such as multi-sport complexes in underserved areas, supported through proposed tax incentives.
His vision includes modern, YMCA-style centers across the country that encourage healthy living and physical activity while also appealing to private partners.
