Golf Channel journalist Ryan Lavner has shared the role LIV Golf has played in turning Bryson DeChambeau into one of the most popular players around right now, with the American three shots clear ahead of the final round at the US Open.
Bryson DeChambeau appears to have one hand on the trophy he won four years ago, with the 30-year-old leading the likes of Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Matthieu Pavon at Pinehurst No. 2.
DeChambeau became the first player to shoot three under par rounds to start a US Open at Pinehurst this week, and there is no question that he would become an incredibly popular winner if he does get across the line.
Of course, few players appear to have experienced a greater turnaround than DeChambeau, with plenty of criticism coming his way in previous years.
However, few seemed to be loved quite like Bryson now, and – whether you believe his transformation is genuine or not – he deserves enormous credit for changing perceptions.
How LIV Golf has changed Bryson DeChambeau
Interestingly, it appears that his move to LIV Golf may have been the catalyst for changing views, with Lavner telling The Golf Channel Podcast that being part of Crushers GC seems to have had such a positive impact on his outlook.
“I sense that he’s changed because of LIV Golf and the fact that he has teammates, whether it’s Paul Casey, whether it’s Charles Howell III, whether it’s Anirban Lahiri, he is always grounded by someone who has his best interests in mind and his and theirs, according to his caddie, Greg Bodine, that has been a big part of Bryson’s renaissance over this past year or two,” he said.
Why LIV has surely increased US Open leader’s popularity
When DeChambeau made the jump in 2022, it appeared that he was perfect for LIV, with both seeming to be incredibly unpopular for various reasons.
The reasons why many understandably dislike LIV have not gone anywhere, but there is probably one aspect of the breakaway tour which has also helped DeChambeau’s popularity.
Ultimately, DeChambeau is probably the most unique player at the top of the game right now, so the fact he now plays in fewer events a year only adds to the excitement when he does play.
Not only is it fascinating to see what DeChambeau is going to do next on the course, but there is also a sense of intrigue over whether he has found something in his game while away from the cameras.
Some will need a lot longer before they consider themselves fans of DeChambeau, but any player who threatens to move the goalposts creates waves across the game – and DeChambeau is definitely one of those who will never leave a stone unturned if he believes that he can gain anything at all.
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