Bryson DeChambeau confident LIV switch was the right move - but thorny majors issue remains
- Michael Schmitt
- 25 May 2023
Bryson DeChambeau has no doubts he made the right move in leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf but called on golf's authorities to give the breakaway tour its due.
Bryson DeChambeau has no doubts he made the right move in leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf, but he again called on golfing authorities to make sure they don't get left out in the cold for the majors.
LIV golfers performed strongly at the year's second major championship. Not only did Brooks Koepka walk away with the trophy at Oak Hill, but DeChambeau finished tied-fourth and Cameron Smith tied-ninth.
Many of the LIV Golf rebels feel vindicated in their decision to jump ship, as their performances at the PGA Championship prove that the standard of their play has not suffered as a result of a move to the 54-hole format of LIV Golf events.
"I mean, look, we're here to play golf. We're contracted to play golf. I think the most important part is to provide great entertainment wherever possible on whatever platform that is, whatever platform that provides it," DeChambeau said ahead of this week's LIV Golf DC tournament.
"When you can talk about ethics, that's people's perception. I completely disagree with it, but everybody has the right to their own opinion, and I'd say, was it worth it? Absolutely."
DeChambeau also expressed his belief that LIV Golf will continue to grow in strength and that its positive impact will become more evident over time.
"This has been beyond my dreams, what I could have imagined this becoming, and it's only getting better.
"I think over the course of time, like many have said, you'll see what good and what positive impact we're having, and what we continue to keep doing every single tournament and growing and helping out the communities and inspiring junior golfers, helping people that are struggling, you're just going to see more and more of that, and I hope that, again, the media and everybody can see the light that we're trying to bring."
Top 5 finish for @b_dechambeau at the PGA Championship 📈#LIVGolf #PGAChampionship #CrushersGC pic.twitter.com/nI3IWd12Up
— Crushers GC (@Crushers_GC) May 22, 2023
Of course, one very thorny issue remains for LIV Golf and its players. Because they still are not being rewarded any world rankings points for their performances on the breakaway tour, they are at a serious disadvantage when it comes to qualifying for the majors.
While that's not a major problem for the cream of the LIV Golf crop, many of whom still have exemptions from previous major victories, it does represent a significant stumbling block for the majority of the field.
As far as DeChambeau is concerned, golf's powers have to come up with a solution, even if it means creating special exemptions.
"There's been numerous ideas brought up," he added. "One that we're all looking at right now, at least from my perspective and what I've heard so far is just creating an exemption category for LIV players based on how they play during the course of the year.
"That would be the most fair and opportune thing for LIV golfers considering the fields that we have, the major champions we have, and the elite level of play that we have each and every week.
"If they're able to do that, I think everything is good. The OWGR points, we've gone so far down the list now that it's really difficult to make us even relevant.
"That was part of their play, which is fine. It is what it is. But I think there's another route to the majors."
