One of the most remarkable scenes during the 2024 golf season came after Bryson DeChambeau had won the US Open, with the LIV Golf star running around Pinehurst so all of those outside the ropes could touch the trophy he had snatched from the grasp of Rory McIlroy.
It appeared to be a moment which confirmed that Bryson DeChambeau‘s turnaround was complete. Previously, DeChambeau had been considered such a divisive character, who did not help himself with some of his actions – particularly at a time when he was involved in a feud with Brooks Koepka.
DeChambeau has become much more popular since moving to LIV Golf, with his YouTube channel already one of the largest in the golf space.
So it undoubtedly would have been significant had he won The Masters for the first time on Sunday. The 31-year-old found himself in the final group with Rory McIlroy heading into the last round at Augusta National. It appeared that he had found the key to tackling the first major of the year.
What PGA Tour players really think of Bryson DeChambeau
However, what everyone was talking about after Sunday when it came to DeChambeau was comments he made regarding McIlroy’s behaviour on the course. DeChambeau noted that McIlroy did not say a word to him all day.
Plenty criticised DeChambeau for complaining when the pair were trying to win arguably the biggest golf tournament in the world. It did come off as sour grapes given that the Crushers captain had a pretty miserable day on the course.
But speaking on The Bret Boone Podcast, Brandel Chamblee suggested that a number of players may not have been entirely surprised by DeChambeau’s comments as he discussed the differences between him and McIlroy.
“It’s a rematch from Pinehurst, although they weren’t paired together at Pinehurst, but it’s definitely a rematch. And there is, I’m not going to say animosity, but there’s palpable dislike,” he said.
“You can’t forget that Bryson went to LIV, and LIV sued the PGA Tour. LIV and the players on LIV sought to destroy the PGA Tour. They would love if the PGA Tour was destroyed and folded – they would love it. They would pump their chest, and go look what we did, we’re the best tour. They would in a minute do that. And Bryson is kind of Phil’s guy, they’re two peas in a pod. So I know Bryson is perceived as having this makeover, and he’s changed his swing, he’s changed his body, he’s changed his public perception, but not his peer perception. They don’t look at him like that. They don’t believe it.
“Rory and Bryson couldn’t be more opposite. Rory is sincere and congenial and graceful and athletic. And Bryson is, he’s kind of mercurial, you saw that after the final round when he was bellyaching that Rory didn’t talk to him. He’s high, he’s got a lot of Phil Mickelson in him. And the players, I’m just saying they don’t necessarily buy that.”
What DeChambeau said about Pinehurst after his final round showdown with Rory McIlroy at The Masters
DeChambeau has become McIlroy’s latest foe over the last 12 months. Obviously, Pinehurst was the catalyst for the rivalry, particularly with the Northern Irishman leaving the course almost immediately after DeChambeau had holed the winning putt.
You could say that the rivalry goes back further, as Chamblee notes, with McIlroy previously the most outspoken critic of LIV Golf. But things appeared to be civil as they were on opposite sides at The Showdown.
DeChambeau was asked ahead of the final round at Augusta whether they had spoken much about what happened at the US Open.
“No. Not really. He said congrats at the British Open — at The Open Championship, excuse me. And that’s pretty much it. We’ve been fine ever since. It’s not really been an issue. It’s just going to be a fun day tomorrow. I’m really excited for the test,” he said.
In truth, the outside world will never know how genuine DeChambeau has been in recent years. It certainly would not be a surprise if he initially made a deliberate effort to come across much better.
Hopefully, over time, that has become more genuine given that he is now so popular with the fans.
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