Bryson DeChambeau snubs Rory McIlroy to favour Fijian golfer, who sued PGA Tour, as the better golfer
Bryson DeChambeau recently participated in a popular golf game where he was asked to pick winners in hypothetical matches between stars in golf history. The challenge was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the official LIV Golf account.
To complete the challenge, DeChambeau had to pick who he thought would win in 15 hypothetical matches. In fact, several of them were between players who did not meet in time.
The first "match" was between Rory McIlroy and Seve Ballesteros, in which Bryson DeChambeau picked the Northern Irishman as the hypothetical winner. Here are the rest of his answers:
- Rory McIlroy vs. Vijay Singh: Singh
- Singh vs. Greg Norman: Norman
- Norman vs. Ernie Els: Norman
- Norman vs. Billy Casper: Norman
- Norman vs. Gene Sarazen: Sarazen
- Sarazen vs. Tom Watson: Watson
- Watson vs. Phil Mickelson: Mickeson
- Mickleson vs. Walter Hagen: Mickelson
- Mickelson vs. Byron Nelson: Nelson
- Nelson vs. Arnold Palmer: Nelson
- Nelson vs. Gary Player: Nelson
- Nelson vs. Jack Nicklaus: Nicklaus
- Nicklaus vs. Tiger Woods: Woods
- Woods vs. Bryson DeChambeau: Woods
Bryson DeChambeau elaborated on some of his answers. On the "match" between Rory McIlroy and Vijay Singh, he clarified that he was considering the Fijian player when he was in his prime.
Vijay Singh is remembered not only for his 34 victories on the PGA Tour (3 majors), but also for several controversies in his career. One of them was the lawsuit he filed against the tour for being suspended for violating the anti-doping policy.
In 2013, Singh admitted to using deer antler spray, a product containing a substance banned by the PGA Tour. Although the anti-doping policy violation was eventually lifted, the Fijian star sued the tour. Five years later, a settlement was reached and the case was closed.
What's Next for Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau is wrapping up a very successful 2024 season. During the year, he won his second major title (US Open) and finished in the top 10 at the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship.
In LIV Golf, his success has been more moderate. He has not won an individual event and has finished in the top 10 six times. He is ranked 9th on the individual leaderboard with 93.96 points.
His Crushers GC team has been much more successful, with two wins, three seconds and a third place finish, and is ranked first in the team standings.
This is how DeChambeau enters the individual Championship, which will be played at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Chicago from September 13-15. With his current score, DeChambeau can only hope to finish third in the season standings.
One week later, he will take on defending champion Crushers GC in the Team Championship. The team is just half a point ahead of Jon Rahm's Legion XIII.