Donald Trump reportedly pressured the US ambassador into trying to arrange for the British Open to take place at his resort in Scotland.
Robert Wood Johnson IV, the American ambassador to the UK. is said to have told colleagues in February 2018 that the US President asked him to see if the organisers of the British Open could be persuaded to host the event at the Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland.
According to reports in the New York Times, three people know of Mr Trump's demands.
The renowned golfing event is run by the Royal and Ancient Golf Association and since Mr Trump was elected President in 2016, the organisers have overlooked the possibility of holding the event at the Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland.
Mr Johnson's deputy, Lewis A Lukens, reportedly advised him not to comply with Mr Trump's demands as it would be unethical to use the presidency for private gain.
The US constitution's emoluments clause says federal officials must not accept gifts or profits from foreign Governments.
Ethics experts have noted that a violation of the clause could occur as the British or Scottish Government would likely have to pay for security at the tournament, an event that would profit the President.
However the ambassador is said to have followed through with the request and Mr Johnson raised the idea of Mr Trump's resort hosting the British Open with the Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell.
Norman L Eisen, who served as President Barack Obama's special counsel for ethics, told the Times: "It is diplomatic malpractice because once you do that, you put yourself in a compromised position.
"They can always say, 'remember that time when you made that suggestion'. No experienced diplomat would do that."
In a previous interview, Mr Mundell said it was "inappropriate" for him to discuss his dealings with the US ambassador and referred the publication to a statement from the Government.
The statement said Mr Johnson "made no request of Mr Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event".
But the Times notes that the statement does not acknowledge whether Mr Johnson mentioned the Turnberry resort.
The White House, the ambassador and State Department all declined to comment on the reports regarding the British Open.
The State Department said in a statement: "We stand by Ambassador Johnson and look forward to him continuing to ensure our special relationship with the UK is strong."
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A spokesman for the R&A, Mike Woodcock, said a committee selects the site from a pool of 10 courses in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland based on factors such as the readiness of the course and public infrastructure.
He said: “We haven’t received any approaches from the British government or the Scottish Government about this."
