Bryson DeChambeau still refusing to speak to media | Golf News

Bryson DeChambeau maintained his silence with the media after refusing to speak with broadcast and print journalists throughout all 4 rounds at The Open Championship.

The two-time major winner is competing on LIV Golf this week at JCB Golf and Country Club in Uttoxeter, England, and he opted not to tackle reporters during Tuesday’s follow session or following Wednesday’s pro-am. He appeared to have no plans to interact with the press in the close to future.

DeChambeau ranks among golf’s most outstanding figures, building large audiences on social media and YouTube, but scrutiny intensified at The Open following a two-shot penalty assessed at the conclusion of his second spherical when officers decided he had improved his lie.

LIV’s marquee participant reacted angrily to the ruling and was noticed heatedly disputing the choice with officers while being transported via cart to Royal Birkdale’s fifth gap. R&A referees concluded that DeChambeau had unintentionally compressed grass behind his ball while getting ready to execute his second shot on the par 4.

However, DeChambeau maintained that his footsteps had not cleared his membership’s path to the ball, and after being transported back to the scoring space, he spent over 20 minutes contesting the penalty.

Reports have subsequently emerged alleging he informed R&A officers of his need to deliver United States President Donald Trump into the dialog. DeChambeau’s representatives haven’t replied to requests for remark relating to this allegation.

After in the end accepting the penalty would not be reversed and signing his scorecard, DeChambeau was adopted by a crowd of journalists as he headed to the follow vary, placing balls as nightfall approached. He selected not to reply questions, though he exchanged pleasantries and shared snacks with those current.

His extended dispute with the R&A held up the announcement of third-round tee instances, irritating a number of gamers, and competitor Rory McIlroy escalated tensions by criticizing DeChambeau’s conduct. McIlroy said the penalty DeChambeau incurred was “justified,” including: “I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention.

“To maintain the match hostage like that, and to have all of us, gamers, volunteers, everybody ready on him to depart, I did not really feel prefer it was a great look.”

The mood was markedly different before this week’s LIV tournament. Practice sessions are closed to spectators, but DeChambeau still posed for photographs and provided autographs for players and caddies participating in the pro-am, along with their families in attendance. One caddie described DeChambeau as “very sociable” and enjoyable company during the nine holes he completed.

LIV has also suffered a significant setback after the Asia Tour formed a partnership with the PGA Tour and DP World Tours, casting even greater uncertainty over its future. DeChambeau faces no requirement to engage with reporters outside of rights holders, nor is he contractually obligated to participate in broadcaster interviews or tournament press conferences.

He did participate in a session with the R&A’s media team following the opening round. He’s certainly not the first professional golfer to avoid the press. McIlroy refused to speak with reporters after each round of the 2025 PGA Championship, frustrated that information about his driver failing a standard USGA test had been disclosed to the media.

DeChambeau’s estrangement from the broader press corps has persisted longer than McIlroy’s, however. Since failing to make the cut at the Masters in April, he has appeared in the mixed zone only once during the majors. He answered a few questions at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills last month following an encouraging opening round before missing the cut.

He has every right to make his own choices, though the specific reasons behind his decision to distance himself from the media remain unclear. He had faced widespread criticism for three straight missed cuts at major championships before bouncing back with a T14 result at The Open, where he faded over the weekend following his contentious penalty.

Prior to his opening spherical at Birkdale, Sir Nick Faldo and Brandel Chamblee have been among the outstanding commentators to stage significantly harsh criticism at the 32-year-old. Following his failure to make the cut at the U.S. Open, DeChambeau leveraged his substantial YouTube channel, which has practically 3 million subscribers, to categorical his views to supporters. It would come as no shock if he makes use of the same platform to tackle the controversy surrounding The Open when he is ready to focus on it.