Bryson DeChambeau addressed the media Thursday at LIV Golf’s U.K. event, his first public comments since the controversial two‑stroke penalty he received at the Open Championship. He briefly touched on the uproar over his tie for 14th place at Royal Birkdale.
DeChambeau posted an eight‑under‑par round at JCB Country Club, the second‑best score of the day. It was his first media session since the Open, where he had previously declined to speak to reporters.
He reflected on his round, noting he birdied his first three holes, recovered from two bogeys and “played great today.” He then commented on the events of the preceding week.
When asked about his battle with “adversity,” DeChambeau referred to the two‑stroke penalty incurred on Friday for improving the area around his ball at the fifth hole. He strongly contested the decision in a televised exchange with officials that drew widespread attention, disrupted the tournament schedule and knocked him from second place, sparking numerous reactions across the sports media.
He said the week’s outcome meant he “made the cut,” calling it his best major performance of the year. “It was a good fight. I wish I had given it more on Saturday and Sunday. I felt I could have. Besides the 5th hole—where I was three over—and the 11th hole, that’s six shots. That’s tied for the lead right there. Those are two holes and I’m right there with the Claret Jug.”
After the penalty, DeChambeau recorded a triple‑bogey 7 on the fifth hole Friday and, after a lost ball on the 11th in the final round, posted another triple‑bogey to finish at two‑over 72—six shots behind winner Ryan Fox.
Lucas Herbert leads after the first round of the LIV event; Herbert also played in the final groups at the Open and finished tied for sixth. When asked if the rivalry was “a week late,” DeChambeau responded philosophically.
“Look, golf is golf, right?” he said. “I wish [Lucas and I] could have gone to battle last week. It wasn’t that way. But life goes on. There’s moments of adversity in everybody’s life, and I was passionate about what I believed and thought was right. For me, it’s now in a place that it is what it is, and you keep moving through it. You keep moving past it.”
DeChambeau also didn’t address the broader context of the LIV tour’s financial struggles. The Asian Tour announced it is exiting its LIV agreement in favor of a deal with the DP World and PGA Tours, dealing a blow to LIV’s ecosystem. Questions remain about the tour’s upcoming schedule after Saudi funding was withdrawn, and the $40‑million 2026 team finale planned for Michigan is reportedly expected to be canceled.
CEO Scott O’Neil has told captains to stay optimistic about potential investors for “LIV 2.0” next season, with updates expected as the league returns to the United States. The next event is slated for Trump Bedminster in New Jersey.
In the meantime, DeChambeau remains focused on the upcoming golf. “For me, I’m excited with Lucas tomorrow. That’ll be great,” he said. “But there’s three more days. We’re here to win this tournament this week. The Crushers are, and I am, as well. Individually and for the team.”
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