Bryson DeChambeau faces making ultimate LIV Golf sacrifice again after Olympics
Bryson DeChambeau, a prominent figure in the golf world, faces the possibility of missing out on another Olympic Games due to his affiliation with LIV Golf. DeChambeau’s decision to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf in 2022 has had a significant impact on his Olympic aspirations. Despite his impressive performance at the US…
Bryson DeChambeau, a prominent figure in the golf world, faces the possibility of missing out on another Olympic Games due to his affiliation with LIV Golf. DeChambeau’s decision to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf in 2022 has had a significant impact on his Olympic aspirations.
Despite his impressive performance at the US Open in June, where he secured his second title, DeChambeau was not selected for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. The Olympic event featured 60 players, with a maximum of four players from the world’s top 15 per country. However, DeChambeau’s choice to join LIV Golf meant that his performances did not count towards the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), ultimately affecting his Olympic hopes.
DeChambeau’s absence from the Olympics was a significant blow, particularly given his previous disappointment at the Tokyo Games, where he tested positive for Covid-19 and was unable to compete. The 30-year-old’s wait to realize his Olympic dream may continue into the 2028 Los Angeles Games unless a merger between PGA and LIV Golf can be reached.
Discussions about a potential merger have been ongoing, with both organizations expressing optimism after a recent meeting in June. However, a fresh timeline for the merger has yet to be outlined. The PGA Tour has established a sub-committee to deliberate on the possible merger, which includes top executives and golf icons, such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy, who has shown little sympathy for LIV players who failed to qualify for the Olympics, shared his appreciation for the tournament’s focus on pure competition rather than staggering prize funds. DeChambeau has openly expressed his desire to return to iconic PGA events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Memorial in the future. However, his participation in these tournaments, as well as his dream of playing in a US-based Olympics, will largely depend on the outcome of the merger discussions.
The fate of DeChambeau’s Olympic aspirations hangs in the balance, and the golf world waits with bated breath for the outcome of the merger talks. Will DeChambeau get the chance to realize his Olympic dream, or will his affiliation with LIV Golf continue to impact his chances? Only time will tell.