Exhibition a step towards good standing: Bryson DeChambeau
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Golfer Bryson DeChambeau (above) is set to play with Brooks Koepka against Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in December.
PHOTO: AFP
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CHICAGO – A planned exhibition match between PGA Tour and LIV Golf stars offers a chance for the two sides to start reuniting the golf world, LIV’s Bryson DeChambeau said on Sept 12.
Speaking at the Bolingbrook Golf Club ahead of the LIV Chicago tournament, the American said he is happy to participate in the match if it means he can help “get this game back in good standing”.
DeChambeau is set to play with Brooks Koepka against Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a LIV versus PGA Tour affair in Las Vegas in December.
Since DeChambeau and Koepka moved to LIV, the stars on each side face one another only in the four Majors each year.
“We want to bring this game back to a place where I would say everyone has the opportunity to see the greatest play a lot more than four times a year,” he said.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to showcase how we evolve that over the course of time.”
DeChambeau, who turns 31 on Sept 16, fared well in the 2024 Majors. He won the US Open for a second time, was second to Xander Schauffele at the PGA Championship and was tied for sixth at the Masters, won by Scheffler. But he missed the Open cut.
He added that he hopes the chance to compete with PGA Tour players grows.
“We always wanted to have a PGA Tour and LIV sort of battle a couple years ago,” he said.
“We always thought that would be pretty cool and whatnot. But I think it’s going to develop over the course of time and hopefully give the people what they want.”
As for LIV Chicago, DeChambeau said it is vital for his team – Crushers GC – to have a good week ahead of the team finals next week in Dallas. Crushers have a narrow lead in the season standings over captain Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII entering play this weekend.
“It’s incredibly important. It gives us some confidence for next week,” said DeChambeau, captain of the Crushers team who also include Paul Casey, Anirban Lahiri and Charles Howell III.
“Next week is a good ball-striking test. All around, it’s a championship-style golf course, so I think having our games looking fresh and ready to go into next week is important.”
He added: “I feel like I’m in a good place. I see the other teammates being in a good place. Let’s just go play the best golf we possibly can and hopefully get some good momentum for next week.” REUTERS
