Bryson DeChambeau has long been a polarizing figure in the golf world, with his unorthodox playing style, his decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf and his outsized persona on the golf course generating plenty of fans and critics alike over the years. The 2025 Ryder Cup has been no different thus far, but it could ultimately benefit the United States team.
DeChambeau was back in the spotlight after Golf Channel analyst and former PGA Tour golfer Brandel Chamblee declared DeChambeau a ‘captain’s nightmare’ on Monday because of the attention he seeks for himself in order to promote his YouTube channel. Chamblee, a frequent and outspoken DeChambeau detractor, called DeChambeau ‘an odd duck when he’s trying to blend in with the team and he has so many potential bulletin-board mistakes.’
The remarks went viral and some of DeChambeau’s prominent American teammates and United States captain Keegan Bradley defended his presence at Bethpage Black during Tuesday’s new conferences before play begins on Friday.
‘Just his golfing ability alone is an X-factor for our team, but also, he’s a really fiery player,’ Bradley told reporters. ‘When you come to a Ryder Cup, you don’t want guys to try to be something they’re not. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson.’
‘I was telling Keegan, I feel like Bryson could be like the difference for us in a strange way from the standpoint of feeding into these fans, the style of golf he plays,’ Xander Schauffele added. ‘He’s been great in the team room.’
Both Bradley and Ryder Cup rookie J.J. Spaun also noted the effort DeChambeau had put in to being at team dinners and activities ahead of the Ryder Cup despite not playing with the rest of his teammates on the PGA Tour.
Chamblee ripped DeChambeau on Monday in the aftermath of an interview with Rory McIlroy published in The Guardian recently that included a comment in which the 2025 Masters champion said of DeChambeau, ‘The only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. That is basically what I think of that. To get attention, he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.’
DeChambeau had previously said he would ‘chirp’ in McIlroy’s ear during the Ryder Cup if they played against one another. The two were paired together during the final round of The Masters when McIlroy completed golf’s career grand slam and DeChambeau said McIlroy never spoke to him over the 18 holes.
DeChambeau is scheduled to speak to reporters on Wednesday. It’s safe to say his teammates are glad he’ll be there.
‘The people love him and I think he loves the opportunity to represent his country,’ said Scottie Scheffler, who teamed with DeChambeau at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. ‘I’m excited to kind of unleash him this week.’