Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Clovis' DeChambeau Doesn't Mind Being Part of Golf's Biggest Feud
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
June 7, 2021

Share

DUBLIN, Ohio — Brooks Koepka didn’t play in the Memorial golf tournament. It just sounded like it at times.

“If (Brooks Koepka) wants to play that game, that’s great. I’m going to keep trying to play my best game and when it comes down to it, when somebody’s that bothered by someone else it is flattering.” — Bryson DeChambeau

From the tee or from the fairway, Bryson DeChambeau would hit a shot only to hear someone in the crowd scream out, “Let’s go, Brooksy!”

It was a not-so-subtle reminder of the beef between the two big hitters in golf that began brewing nearly two years ago and reached an extraordinary level after the PGA Championship with leaked video footage.

The short segment, which was never aired, showed Koepka doing an interview with Golf Channel when DeChambeau walks behind him, the sound of his spikes on the pavement. Koepka rolled his eyes and said he lost his train of thought “hearing that bull——.”

The interview began anew, but that clip made its way onto Twitter. So began a back-and-forth that included DeChambeau tweeting that “it’s nice to be living rent free in your head.”

Or maybe not. The security detail following the group of DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth, and Patrick Cantlay removed at least two groups of spectators from the tournament on Friday for referring to DeChambeau as “Brooksy.”

DeChambeau: No Issue With Fans’ Taunts

DeChambeau, the former Clovis East High School standout who tied for 18th in the Memorial at  1-under-par, didn’t seem to mind. He is second in the season-long FedEx Cup standings.

“Oh, they weren’t taunts at all. It was flattering,” he said. “I think it’s absolutely flattering what they’re doing. They can keep calling me that all day if they want to. I’ve got no issue with it.”

Koepka kept up with the needle, posting a video on Twitter after the round offering cases of Michelob Ultra (one of his sponsors) to the first 50 people who might have had a short day at the Memorial from being thrown out.

“What’s up guys! It’s Brooksy,” he says. “Hey, thank you guys for the support. I heard a bunch of you were shouting my name at the golf tournament today. I know I’m not playing, but thank you guys for showing support.”

Koepka Doesn’t Like DeChambeau’s Slow Play

Koepka and DeChambeau first mixed it up at The Northern Trust two years ago. That’s when Koepka was among those criticizing DeChambeau for his slow pace of play.

They traded jabs when Koepka was part of the “Body Issue” for ESPN The Magazine. DeChambeau joked that Koepka had no abs, and Koepka replied he was “two short of a six-pack,” offering a photo of his four major championship trophies.

Koepka also posted a steroid rage video after DeChambeau, who had added 40 pounds of muscle and mass through an intense regimen during the pandemic, yelled at a cameraman during the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

“I’ve got nothing against him. I’ve got no issues at all,” DeChambeau said. “If he wants to play that game, that’s great. I’m going to keep trying to play my best game and when it comes down to it, when somebody’s that bothered by someone else it is flattering.”

Spieth Amused by the Rivalry

Spieth seemed amused by the eight hours they spent on the course Friday. He suggested there were as many references to “Brooks” as “Bryson” depending on how the hole was played.

“He mentioned it to me at one point and I said, ‘All anyone wants is a reaction and you give it to them, then … it’s going to get worse.’ So it didn’t seem to bother him,” Spieth said.

Koepka also posted a steroid rage video after DeChambeau, who had added 40 pounds of muscle and mass through an intense regimen during the pandemic, yelled at a cameraman during the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Rory McIlroy missed it — he was in the group behind them — but was loving the exchange.

“I sent Brooks a message when it all came out,” McIlroy said. “I said, ‘I don’t care what happens to me for the rest of this week, this has made my week, this is like the best thing ever.’

“I think it’s good for guys to show personality and pretty sure whoever leaked it from the Golf Channel got in trouble,” McIlroy said. “There’s certainly people out here that don’t like me, I’m sure and there’s a few people out here that I don’t like.”

However, it was pointed out to McIlroy that no one is aware of his dislike of some other golfers.

“Yeah, because I don’t want it aired,” he said with a smile. “That’s life.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Pope Francis in Critical Condition After Long Respiratory Crisis

DON'T MISS

Musk Gives All Federal Workers 48 Hours to Explain What They Did Last Week

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Suspends 2 Players, Removes Another Amid Gambling Investigation

DON'T MISS

Israel Delays Release of Palestinian Prisoners, Citing ‘Degrading’ Hostage Handovers

DON'T MISS

Officer Killed After Gunman Took Hostages at Pennsylvania Hospital

DON'T MISS

Kash Patel Plans to Move Up to 1,500 Workers Out of Washington

DON'T MISS

Fired Employees Fear Beloved Yosemite National Park Will Lose Its Luster

DON'T MISS

US and Ukraine Nearing Rare Earths Deal That Would Tighten Relationship

DON'T MISS

Trump Fires Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Two Other Military Officers

DON'T MISS

Less Is More: 5 Ingredient Dinners Are Easier Than You Think

UP NEXT

Less Is More: 5 Ingredient Dinners Are Easier Than You Think

UP NEXT

Hotels Are So Last Year – Why Everyone’s Sleeping in Castles, Caves and Cranes

UP NEXT

Misty Her Calls for ‘Huge Mindset Shift’ at Fresno Unified as She Campaigns for Top Job

UP NEXT

Yankees End 49-Year Beard Ban Imposed by Owner George Steinbrenner

UP NEXT

Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. Adults Identifies as LGBTQ+, Survey Finds

UP NEXT

Bucks’ Portis Suspended 25 Games for Unintentional Drug Violation

UP NEXT

Verlander Eyes 300 Wins at 42, Joins Giants for 20th MLB Season

UP NEXT

Robot Umpires Are Getting Their First MLB Test During Spring Training

UP NEXT

Spurs’ Wembanyama Is Out for Season with Blood Clot

UP NEXT

Will Soria Run for State Senate Instead of Assembly?

Israel Delays Release of Palestinian Prisoners, Citing ‘Degrading’ Hostage Handovers

4 hours ago

Officer Killed After Gunman Took Hostages at Pennsylvania Hospital

4 hours ago

Kash Patel Plans to Move Up to 1,500 Workers Out of Washington

10 hours ago

Fired Employees Fear Beloved Yosemite National Park Will Lose Its Luster

10 hours ago

US and Ukraine Nearing Rare Earths Deal That Would Tighten Relationship

10 hours ago

Trump Fires Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Two Other Military Officers

11 hours ago

Less Is More: 5 Ingredient Dinners Are Easier Than You Think

11 hours ago

Trump-Putin Summit Preparations Are Underway, Russia Says

11 hours ago

Warren Buffett Offers Trump Some Advice While Celebrating Berkshire’s Success

11 hours ago

Hungarians Will Decide Whether Ukraine Can Join the European Union, Orbán Says

11 hours ago

Pope Francis in Critical Condition After Long Respiratory Crisis

ROME — Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pn...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

Pope Francis in Critical Condition After Long Respiratory Crisis

4 hours ago

Musk Gives All Federal Workers 48 Hours to Explain What They Did Last Week

4 hours ago

Fresno State Suspends 2 Players, Removes Another Amid Gambling Investigation

4 hours ago

Israel Delays Release of Palestinian Prisoners, Citing ‘Degrading’ Hostage Handovers

4 hours ago

Officer Killed After Gunman Took Hostages at Pennsylvania Hospital

10 hours ago

Kash Patel Plans to Move Up to 1,500 Workers Out of Washington

10 hours ago

Fired Employees Fear Beloved Yosemite National Park Will Lose Its Luster

10 hours ago

US and Ukraine Nearing Rare Earths Deal That Would Tighten Relationship

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend