The 30-year-old knew not qualifying for the Olympics was a possibility when he joined LIV in 2022. He’s played only one tournament outside the majors and LIV events since then – last year’s Saudi International – but has finished in the top 10 in five of his nine majors played during that stretch.
PGA Tour officials are talking with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf, trying to reach an agreement for a new model for professional golf.
DeChambeau said he had been hoping for an agreement by now to allow him to play in the Olympics.
“It hasn’t worked out that way, and again I respect the decision that I made, and it is what it is,” he said. “It hurts, but you know what? There’s another one four years later.”
Until then, all DeChambeau can do is enjoy himself.
He’s been on a whirlwind tour since he beat Rory McIlroy by one shot last weekend at Pinehurst. He has appeared on a handful of TV shows and estimated he’s maybe slept 12 hours since Sunday.
He continued his celebration swing Wednesday, carrying the trophy with him into his news conference. He also made sure everyone touched it on his way out, as he did with the fans at Pinehurst.
His win also has given LIV Golf a boost. This event about 30 miles south of Nashville is nearly sold out before Friday’s start at The Grove, designed by LIV CEO Greg Norman, which also has hosted a Korn Ferry Tour event.
DeChambeau said he’s feeling as if he’s playing as well as he did in 2018 when he won consecutive FedEx Cup playoff events – even if the stats and rankings don’t put him at No. 1.
He dodged the question of whether or not he’s the best player in the world, leaving that to others to answer.
“I’m not going to put a label or title on myself,” DeChambeau said. “That’s not what I do. I’m here to go play the best golf I can and inspire others and give people some great entertainment.”
