It was always going to be interesting to see how Bryson DeChambeau was welcomed back into the Ryder Cup fold this year as he prepared to make his return to the event.
There seemed to be no way Bryson DeChambeau would miss out on another Ryder Cup the moment he won the US Open at Pinehurst. Not only did he prove that he was one of the best players on the planet, he also showed that few were more popular with the fans.
Keegan Bradley confirmed DeChambeau’s spot in the team at The Open Championship, several weeks before he had officially qualified for Bethpage.
DeChambeau will be the only representative from LIV Golf on the American side this week. But it appears that many of his teammates are keen to stress that he is far from an outsider.
J.J. Spaun praises what Bryson DeChambeau has done ahead of the RYDER CUP
Scottie Scheffler lauded DeChambeau in his press conference. Meanwhile, Ben Griffin insisted that he wanted to be paired with DeChambeau several weeks ago.
And J.J. Spaun – who succeeded the Crushers captain in winning the US Open – suggested that he has been hugely impressed by the lengths he has gone to to integrate himself within the team.
“I think what people don’t realize, he’s made a huge effort being a part of this team, flying to team dinners, showing up weeks that he’s playing on the LIV to where we are on the PGA Tour just to be a part of that team, and he’s done a great job. He’s got his own thing going on, and it’s easy for us to get together because we’re all playing week in and week out together,” he said.
“I think he’s done a huge job of trying to insert himself on this team. Given his personality and his brand, he’s great with the fans. I think that’s going to be a huge attribute to the team this week.”
Spaun was also asked about how well he knows DeChambeau with both men coming from the same state.
“He’s a few years younger than me. But he grew up in northern California, or central north kind of California and I was Southern California, and I didn’t play a ton of national junior golf circuits and didn’t see most of these guys really ever until I turned pro and got on tour,” he added.
“Bryson, I just know him based off of playing with him on the PGA Tour.”
Keegan Bradley echoes J.J. Spaun’s comments about the effort Bryson DeChambeau has put in before Bethpage
DeChambeau had been given reason to not buy into the Ryder Cup. He was given little chance of success in 2018; almost left as an afterthought when being sent out alongside Phil Mickelson in the foursomes.
And he did not appear to really be in the conversation for the 2023 team in Rome. So it says a lot that he has been so invested in what Keegan Bradley has done this year.
And speaking in his own press conference, the captain insisted that he could hardly ask anymore of the two-time major winner.
“Yeah, I think Bryson, this is a tough thing for him, to come into guys that he doesn’t see every day, full of PGA Tour players, but he’s done an exceptional job of making the extra effort, flying to Napa, flying to Atlanta, doing things that are really difficult with the schedule that he has. He’s made every effort possible and been incredible in the team room,” he said.
“I think Bryson, just his golfing ability alone is an X-factor for our team, but also, he’s a really fiery player. When you come to a Ryder Cup, you don’t want guys to try to be something they’re not. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson, and he brings that every day in practice rounds, in the team room, and hopefully in the tournament competition too.”
Much will depend on the final result, but all signs are pointing towards DeChambeau proving to be the hero of this year’s Ryder Cup if he can deliver on the course.
It is clear that he has inspired many of those around him with the effort he has put in over the last year.
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