Bryson DeChambeau’s US Open win highlights LIV Golf impact in PGA Tour civil war

Bryson DeChambeau’s U.S. Open victory over Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst No. 2 proved that LIV Golf have the last laugh over the PGA Tour after the pair left the organisation to join the Saudi-backed breakaway league

Bryson DeChambeau clinched a dramatic victory at the U.S. Open, leaving Rory McIlroy and his PGA Tour allegiance in the dust, marking a cheeky win for LIV Golf.

The tension was palpable on Sunday at Pinehurst No. 2 as DeChambeau battled back from behind to reclaim the lead from McIlroy, who faltered with two missed putts that could have changed the game’s outcome.

Now a two-time U.S. Open champion, DeChambeau, along with Brooks Koepka, boasts more PGA Tour-sanctioned wins than the trio of Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler since joining the ranks of LIV Golf. With Koepka’s 2023 PGA Championship and DeChambeau’s recent success, they lead 2-1 over their PGA counterparts.

Despite his departure from the PGA Tour and embracing the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, DeChambeau showed sportsmanship towards McIlroy, whose search for a major title continues after a decade. “I’m sure it will fuel Rory’s fire even more. He’s a strong-minded individual,” DeChambeau commented.

He reflected on his own performance, saying: “For me, it was knowing how good my game is, how great of a place it’s in, and just continuing to execute knowing the statistics would eventually fall my way. Still hope. Golf, it’s a game of luck. There’s a lot of luck that has to happen and go your way out there.”

“I knew if I could give my 100% effort on every single shot, I’d give myself a good chance this week, just like I did at the PGA, just like I did at the Masters. Rory is going to [win another major]. I’d love to have a lot more battles with him. It would be a lot of fun. But, yeah, Rory’s going to do it at some point.”

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DeChambeau will now head straight back into LIV Golf competition. DeChambeau has pledged to participate in this week’s LIV Golf event in Nashville. During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, DeChambeau admitted: “I’m a little wrecked, I can tell you that… It was a lot of fun last night, and the fans were all part of that win.”

“Throughout the whole week, they were cheering me on, pushing me, encouraging me, and giving me all the stuff I needed to win. So I thought, what better moment than to show the fans all that they deserve? “.

“It just all happened. Fans were still waiting for me. They shut down the golf course. I probably left Pinehurst around 12:30 last night, and it was a great time.”