“I don't care” - Bryson DeChambeau says he has ‘no problem’ with fans booing him at the PGA Championship 2023
Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were subjected to spectators’ boos at the PGA Championship 2023 on Saturday. Several fans came forward to heckle the Saudi-backed players, while they played their tee shots at Oak Hill.
Reacting to this, DeChambeau has now stated that he had "no problem" with being booed at the major.
DeChambeau, who managed to play well in the first two rounds, had a hostile welcome to the third round on Saturday. However, the golfer played through the boos and continued his good run of form. He ended up sitting fourth on the leaderboard, trailing event leader Koepka by three shots.
Following the round, DeChambeau told the media that he ‘didn’t care’ about the boos at the venue. Bryson DeChambeau was quoted as saying by Golf Australia:
"No, I don't care… I mean, it's not a big deal. I mean, they are going to do that no matter what.”
The LIV golfer went on to state that he expected this type of reaction from New Yorkers. He said:
"It's New York, and I expect it here, I appreciate the fans, them doing that to me. It's like, okay, cool, no problem. I've got no problem, either way. If we got applause, that's fantastic and if not, you know what, whatever. It is what it is. It still was fun today."
It is pertinent to note that DeChambeau and Koepka were arguably the most polarizing pairing for the third round of the PGA Championship 2023. The two LIV golfers, who were once involved in a very public feud, have been rivals for the longest time. Using their rivalry, the two golfers had even set up a head-to-head match in Las Vegas in 2021. Koepka easily won this faceoff.
Moreover, both DeChambeau and Koepka also received criticism for making anti-LIV statements just months before joining them. After years, the two came together in front of the PGA Tour fans on Saturday and were welcomed with boos.
Brooks Koepka reacts to boos from fans at the PGA Championship
Brooks Koepka, who also received boos on the 1st tee along with DeChambeau, said that he loved the New York fans for their ‘fun’ involvement in the game.
The LIV golfer, who led the PGA Championship on Saturday, said:
"I love New York. It's always fun. Like I said, you do something really well, they are going to let you know, and if you do something pretty poor, they are going to let you know, and I just love that… I love when the fans are on you, cheering for you, or you know, giving you crap if you screw up. That's the beauty of it. You want that, or at least I want that atmosphere."
With both Koepka and DeChambeau in contention for the PGA Championship 2023 title, it’ll be interesting to see how the fans welcome them on Sunday.