Bryson DeChambeau is making his second LIV Golf start this week at Trump Bedminster.
John Jones/USA Today
BEDMINSTER, NJ – When Tiger Woods spoke out in favor of the PGA Tour, and strongly against the LIV Golf concept, two weeks ago at St. Andrews, Bryson DeChambeau took notice.
And he had no problem with that.
DeChambeau, who befriended Woods four years ago and played numerous practice rounds with him, hasn’t spoken to the 15-time major winner since moving to LIV Golf. But he credits it for making something like LIV Golf possible.
“I have great respect for Tiger; look, this wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Tiger,” DeChambeau said Thursday after playing former President Donald Trump, his son Eric and Dustin Johnson in the pro-am at Trump Bedminister.
“So I have the utmost respect for what he did for the game of golf, what he did for the PGA Tour that allowed us to have this opportunity.”
The opportunity is guaranteed contracts just for signing and great prizes. This week’s event the third of the LIV Golf Invitational Series calendar, is offering $25 million, with $20 million for the 48 players individually plus another $5 million for a portion of the team. The individual winner receives $4 million.
Woods criticized the company when he spoke before the British Open., saying: “What are these players doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practice? What’s the incentive to go out there and win it on earth? They just pay you a lot of money up front and you play some events and you play 54 holes. They’re playing loud music and they have all these atmospheres that are different.
“I don’t see how that move is a positive for a lot of these players in the long run.”
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Over the years, it has been rare for Woods to take such a tough stance on any issue. DeChambeau said that he understood.
“I have the utmost respect for what he has to say,” DeChambeau said. “For me personally, to be my own human being, I am going to work even harder to prove the fact that I am worth that price.
“We’ve been pretty close and unfortunately we haven’t talked, someday we will again, and I’m always open to a conversation with anyone. I have no problem with that and I hope we can agree.”
DeChambeau said he wasn’t surprised by Woods’ comments because “it’s his legacy. I totally get it. He is what allowed this to happen in a really cool and unique way that, in the end, I think it will all work out to everyone’s benefit. It’s just a bit of murky water right now.”
It’s been a struggle in 2022 for DeChambeau, who has battled a hip injury and a hand problem. that required surgery. He had four cut misses and one retirement during a stretch and his best finish since the Sentry Tournament of Champions was a tie for 56th at the US Open.
DeChambeau joined LIV Golf in time for the second event in Portland, where he finished 10th. He later tied for eighth in the Open and said he was almost 100 percent healthy.
On the first hole of the pro-am, Trump played off the back tees with the pros and hit his approach inside anyone in the pack. Informed that he could play in an amateur forward game, Trump moved up after that.
“He’s actually a very good golfer,” DeChambeau said. “It was an honor. Any time you get to play a president, past or current, it’s an honor no matter who he is. I feel very lucky to have a relationship with him and he has always been generous with me.
“(His game) is very impressive. He is a great human being and that is why he has that speed. Hopefully I can get him to do some sprint training. He just hits the ball fast and he’s ready and running.”
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