Bryson DeChambeau’s statement praising LIV Golf is painful for PGA Tour
Bryson DeChambeau has opened up about his decision to join LIV Golf, stating that it was essential for his career growth after experiencing a life-changing heartbreak. DeChambeau made the switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in June 2022, amid significant controversy and criticism from fans and the media. The 30-year-old golfer described how…
Bryson DeChambeau has opened up about his decision to join LIV Golf, stating that it was essential for his career growth after experiencing a life-changing heartbreak. DeChambeau made the switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in June 2022, amid significant controversy and criticism from fans and the media. The 30-year-old golfer described how this move, which turned him into a perceived villain by some, was crucial for his personal and professional development.
DeChambeau’s perspective on golf and life shifted dramatically after the passing of his father, Jon DeChambeau, a former PGA Tour pro, due to diabetes complications just months after his switch. Reflecting on this period, DeChambeau shared with the Telegraph, “When my father passed, as it is for everyone, that was a huge deal to me and I started to realize the eminence of life like, at some point, it’s all going to end. So yeah, you’ve got to be gracious with the time you have.”
He emphasized the importance of accepting failure and learning to laugh at oneself, acknowledging that there are more important things in life than professional setbacks. DeChambeau credited LIV Golf for providing him with the time and space to heal and rebuild after his father’s death. “It would have been impossible for me to have come this far again without LIV,” he said. “It gave me the time to get healthy and develop.”
DeChambeau found camaraderie among his LIV Golf peers, who were also facing criticism and challenges. This sense of solidarity helped him navigate the backlash and focus on his game. “I came to LIV and suddenly there were players in the same boat as me. Because they were getting stick as well not from the LIV fans but seemingly everywhere else. I was not alone in being disliked and could share these feelings with my teammates and my colleagues,” he explained.
Over time, public perception has begun to shift, particularly following the “framework agreement” with the PGA Tour. DeChambeau believes this change is gradual but inevitable. “We have come a long way and we continue to move progressively in small incremental amounts. It’s just going to domino at some point,” he noted.
In June, DeChambeau celebrated a major career milestone by winning his second U.S. Open title after a dramatic final hole against Rory McIlroy. In an emotional speech, he dedicated the victory to his late father, saying, “First off, I wanna say Happy Father’s Day to every father out there,” and concluding, “Unfortunately, my dad passed [away] a couple of years ago, and this one’s for him.”