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 3 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

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

DON'T MISS

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

DON'T MISS

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

DON'T MISS

Corrupt Process? Bullard, Edison Parents Blast Handling of Superintendent Search

DON'T MISS

Here Are Some Numbers That Will Help You Get Your March Madness Fix for the Sweet 16

DON'T MISS

Opening Day 2024: What to Watch for as 28 of 30 MLB Teams Start Their Season

DON'T MISS

Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel & George Kittle Among the Stars in Netflix Series ‘Receiver’

DON'T MISS

Deputies Arrest Fresno Urban Peace Graduate After Finding Him With 25 Guns

DON'T MISS

Utah Coach Says Team Was Shaken After Experiencing Racist Hate During NCAA Tournament

No data was found

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

8 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

8 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

8 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

9 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

9 hours ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

10 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

10 hours ago

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

10 hours ago

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

13 hours ago

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

13 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

PGA HOPE, now underway at Fresno’s Riverside Golf Course, is designed to introduce golf to veterans and active duty military members t...

7 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Fresno's Riverside Golf Course
7 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

8 hours ago

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

8 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

8 hours ago

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

8 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

8 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

9 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

9 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend