Bryson DeChambeau continues to attract attention as the Ryder Cup approaches, with the LIV Golf star set to play at Bethpage Black next month.
DeChambeau has qualified for the American Ryder Cup team, finishing fifth in the rankings following the conclusion of the BMW Championship.
But the LIV Golf star already looks set to have a disadvantage compared to his Ryder Cup teammates going into the tournament.
Captain Keegan Bradley wants American players to play the Procore Championship, the first event of the FedExCup Fall, which takes place shortly before the Ryder Cup.
Golf fans want DeChambeau to be able to play the Procore Championship, but LIV Golf players are prohibited from competing on the PGA Tour.
Bryson DeChambeau told he’s made ‘misguiding’ comments about the PGA Tour
Speaking of the situation during LIV Golf Indianapolis last week, he said: “That’s up to the Tour and their decision to make. It’s on them if they don’t let us become together as a team and play.
“That just shows you… yeah, I’m not going to say that. Yeah, it’s a scenario that’s unfortunate, and I wish it was different, but LIV is willing to let me play.”
READ MORE: Brandel Chamblee says whether the US players actually want Bryson DeChambeau on the Ryder Cup team
Rex Hoggard has now shared his reaction to those comments, saying on Golf Channel: “To be fair, to add context, he was answering a question, so someone asked him this and he was coming back at them, so I’m not sure if he took a shot at the PGA Tour.
“However, it is misguided to the extreme because the fact of the matter is that he still walked away from the Tour.
“He still violated the policies and he is still going to be subject to whatever the Tour decides to do. Rightly or wrongly that standard has been set.
“Hudson Swafford essentially got a two year suspension when he wanted to come back. He was relegated off LIV Golf and approached the Tour about coming back, and essentially they told him he could come back in January 2027.
“So not quite two years but roughly they told him you need to sit on the bench for two years. Call it a suspension, call it a bad deed, whatever you want to call it. That standard has been set.
“So for Bryson DeChambeau to suddenly say I want to go to Napa and practice with the rest of the US team is silly, because he is not paying attention to what is going on in real life.
“And what is going on is that the PGA Tour probably don’t want to admit it publicly, but they have set the standard.”
PGA Tour told it has ‘no financial incentive’ to help US Ryder Cup team
The PGA Tour continues this week with its third and final FedExCup playoff event, with East Lake hosting the Tour Championship.
It then returns following a short break with the Procore Championship, which takes place at Silverado Resort in Napa, California.
And DeChambeau joining his teammates in Napa would be an obvious boost for the hosts, but that seems unlikely at this moment in time.
Adding his verdict, Ryan Lavner said: “The PGA Tour has no financial incentive to help out the US Ryder Cup team.
“Why would you let Bryson play in this tournament? Would he be an obvious sponsor exemption? Sure. Would it generate interest for the Procore? Sure.
“That is not a good enough reason to potentially open up all sorts of other headaches and lawsuits and who knows what could potentially transpire if they allow Bryson DeChambeau to play here. That seems a little bit arrogant, ignorant or naive of what is going on. Maybe all three.”
Two weeks after the Procore, America and Europe will go head-to-head for Ryder Cup glory at New York’s Bethpage Black.
But it seems like the home side could already be playing catch-up by then given their DeChambeau predicament, with Team Europe likely to continue their harmonious build-up without such trouble.
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