News

Bryson DeChambeau apologizes for USGA criticism

Published

7 years ago

Feb 26, 2017

Bryson DeChambeau is backing off his harsh words for the USGA following a severe indictment of the organization.

Golf Digest’s Brian Wacker caught DeChambeau after his second round at the Honda Classic. He told the scribe, “The USGA essentially doesn’t like me doing it [putting side-saddle]. I’m pretty much done with it.”

That remark was likely better received in Far Hills than what DeChambeau went on to say about the USGA.

“They’re not a good organization, and you can quote me on that. I’m part of their family [as a winner of the U.S. Amateur] and as family it’s very frustrating to see them stunt the growth of the game.”

Two days later (and probably to the surprise of very few) DeChambeau apologized via his social media channels, posting this Notepad missive.

While DeChambeau said late last year that the side-saddle stroke would be so effective it’d be “like cheating,” it never really panned out for the SMU alum. In his last five starts, he’s missed the cut four times and withdrawn once. He’s currently 194th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: putting (-.653).

Related: See photos of the conforming side-saddle putter DeChambeau was using

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35 Comments

JThunder

Mar 1, 2017 at 2:57 am

No one sees the hypocrisy in saying “DeChambeau should own what he says” while posting under aliases. Too funny. When media follows you around 24/7 just waiting for something they can hype and sensationalize, you can comment. Sure, these guys make a lot of money when they win, but being under that microscope all the time isn’t fun. He said something in the heat of a moment, then he apologized. I suppose none of you have done that?

As for the USGA, their job isn’t easy either. On the one hand, you have pressure from the capitalist golf OEMs wanting to make a fortune peddling new tech. On the other you have Jack Nicklaus and co, traditionalists, course owners and architects, wanting to preserve the status quo, especially for distance, not to mention their own records and Bobby Jones’. Half the amateurs bitch the game is too hard, the other half (maybe less, but vocal) bitch about losing tradition. And like any governing body, the resulting compromises just yield more complaints.

Hopefully we all scrutinize our own behavior and work the way we do that of others.

Reply Report comment
King of Carlsbad

Feb 28, 2017 at 12:35 pm

Why can’t he just putt like a normal human being? Is it that hard?

Reply Report comment
Tyson Rochambeau

Feb 28, 2017 at 10:50 am

This guy needs to be more worried about making a cut. Speaking of cuts, does anyone know if the cut on his hand healed from hitting too many balls? I’m sure he was in pain; what a horrible problem to have.

Reply Report comment
- SlapHappy
  
  Mar 1, 2017 at 1:43 am
  
  Yeah the cut was so bad he had to withdraw…… but it healed so quickly in two days he was able to show up to the next tournament and kiss everybody’s butts
  
  Reply Report comment
StillBoard

Feb 28, 2017 at 10:20 am

Another undeserved apology

Reply Report comment
Fat Perez

Feb 27, 2017 at 9:15 pm

And I will never putt illegally like anchor broom handlers Bernie Langaaa and Scott McCarron!! Are you kiddn’ me!! You’re telling those clowns are not anchored to their chest plate?! Please, it’s so obvious from any angle. The creases in their shirts during the stroke are a dead giveaway. No way what they’re doing would be allowed on the PGA Tour! The Tour would have a camera on these guys from every imaginable angle you could think of. Enforcement, if at all, is totally selective.

Reply Report comment
Jack Nash

Feb 27, 2017 at 2:06 pm

Always kills me why some of these guys always have to,”clarify”, “walk back”, “reconsider” some of their statements. It’s like they’re not able to voice their opinion because they somehow feel they’re getting cut out of a Will. Bryson voiced an opinion. No matter what you think of it, it’s his opinion. Nobody got hurt, he made his case, so move on. Look how many years the governing bodies took to outlaw the anchored putter, when it should have been done years ago. Is there an advantage to side saddle? Maybe, but somehow I doubt it. You could say the new style of studying putts ala Adam Scott could actually testing your lie. Bryson mad an honest evaluation. No biggie to me.

Reply Report comment
- SlapHappy
  
  Feb 28, 2017 at 2:26 am
  
  Because he nor his agent don’t want to lose any future sponsors or sponsors exemptions, for being a hateful child.
  There may be an advantage to side-saddle, if you use the kind of putter that Dechambeau used, which is not conforming to the rules, due to the wrong placement of the shaft on the head, which rule had been set a long time ago, to make sure violations like this would not happen (and thus, how stupid does Dechambeau look, not considering that the rules had been examined from the science perspective long ago, especially considering he had claimed to be a scientist out to make the game easier and more fun to play), because it took some skill out of the stroke.
  
  Reply Report comment
3 metal stinger

Feb 27, 2017 at 12:45 pm

This kid has ensured that I will never purchase a Cobra/Puma product

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Feb 27, 2017 at 10:24 pm
  
  LOL. Nice.
  
  Reply Report comment
Barry

Feb 27, 2017 at 11:06 am

Don’t apologize for criticizing the organization (USGA) that has ruined pro golf!

Dave Fay, Mike Davis, Tom Otoole and company should be ashamed!

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Feb 27, 2017 at 11:23 am
  
  I don’t find myself at odds with the USGA often but; lately they have drawn fire from the golf community at large. Bryson didn’t say anything that many of us haven’t said about [prior rulings from the USGA. i. e. putter length & driver C.O.R. I find it ironic he is being criticized for something many of us say.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Fü
    
    Feb 27, 2017 at 11:43 am
    
    What the heck has the length of the putter got to do with anything. That was never an equipment rule in that instance, you just can’t anchor any longer. The COR rule has been changed this year, they now only measure drivers with CT. So what are you complaining about?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Tom
      
      Feb 27, 2017 at 4:42 pm
      
      Fu , I’m goin off what has been discussed on this site about equipment and USGA regs. and how it applies to recreational golfers.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - SlapHappy
        
        Feb 28, 2017 at 2:35 am
        
        We’re not talking about recreational golfers. We are taking about Professionals and other qualified Amateurs who all want to and must play by the rules, without which there will be no competition. You want to just play slaphappy type game, you go ahead and do that, nobody is stopping you from cheating or being nice to each other amongst your peers for letting the rules go by. But this is a gentleman’s game, whereby the best of the world call penalties on themselves and also accept the rules thrown at them if called on. That’s just how this game is played, Gentlemen, and if you don’t want to be at the level, then by all means, go play by your rules, nobody is stopping you. All we want is that we ask you that you replace all divots, repair ball marks and rake the bunkers nicely because there may be proper players behind you that will be playing by the Rules.
        
        Reply Report comment
        
        Tom
        
        Mar 1, 2017 at 12:09 am
        
        I don’t disagree with the ruling on the shaft of this design. My thought center on the USGA and the heavy handedness applied by the organization. At points in time it seems they are over bearing and in areas were perhaps diplomacy would prevail.
        
        Reply Report comment
Steve S

Feb 27, 2017 at 11:03 am

Should have never made the retraction. It’s what you really feel, right? Then don’t apologize, own it and move on. Yeah, you’ll catch more heat but that’s what happens when you’re adult. You are not a kid, anymore.

Reply Report comment
CCTxGolf

Feb 27, 2017 at 9:23 am

I bet all of his sponsors are regretting making him one of their big spokespeople. The Microsoft commercial is obnoxious. Most of these commercials bill him as this great PGA superstar who has been successful with his odd approach to the game. He has not.

Reply Report comment
- mitch
  
  Feb 27, 2017 at 9:47 am
  
  I agree! Good points!
  
  Reply Report comment
Patricknorm

Feb 27, 2017 at 6:52 am

When you blame the media for your own words, that to me is reckless. His disparagement of the USGA , an excuse he uses to justify his poor play , tells me that emotionally, he’s not ready for prime time. No one expects perfection from Bryson , just honesty and some one willing to take ownership of his words and actions. He apparently took a swipe at the media ( “I was stopped by the media at a bad time”) for his derogatory comments towards the USGA. Time for Bryson to man up and accept his weaknesses. This entitled millenial needs to mature , quickly.

Reply Report comment
Rich

Feb 26, 2017 at 10:00 pm

I believe he thought he was bigger than the game WRONG!

Reply Report comment
S Hitter

Feb 26, 2017 at 8:36 pm

Disingenuous focker

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Mar 2, 2017 at 11:09 am
  
  do you have multiple personalities?
  
  Reply Report comment
dg7936

Feb 26, 2017 at 8:24 pm

Too bad he retracted; the USGA is truly screwed up. They piss their time away on small issues but have let the equipment manufacturers destroy the integrity of the game. They are bullies, plain and simple.

Reply Report comment
- S Hitter
  
  Feb 27, 2017 at 3:08 am
  
  You don’t have to play golf if you don’t want to. We won’t miss you
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jay
    
    Feb 27, 2017 at 3:31 pm
    
    I think you have it the other way around – golfers wont miss the USGA. What percent of golfers do you actually think play by all USGA rules – 1%, maybe 5%?? Seems the game could do just fine w/o them.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Tom
      
      Feb 28, 2017 at 3:26 pm
      
      especially the past couple of opens…what a cluster!
      
      Reply Report comment
  - IHateLoveGolf
    
    Feb 28, 2017 at 10:20 pm
    
    Who’s the ‘we’? I don’t have a problem with what he said.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Barry
  
  Feb 27, 2017 at 11:08 am
  
  Totally agree! They were too busy figuring out which model jet to lease
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Mar 1, 2017 at 10:33 am
  
  The recent article on this site is good news. The USGA appears to be coming around.
  
  Reply Report comment
belacyrf

Feb 26, 2017 at 7:53 pm

How much do you think Puma is regretting that investment ?

Reply Report comment
Tom

Feb 26, 2017 at 5:42 pm

good follow up Bryson

Reply Report comment
DeShampoo

Feb 26, 2017 at 5:36 pm

You said it. Own it, or don’t say it in the first place…

Reply Report comment
Matt

Feb 26, 2017 at 5:09 pm

He’s becoming a sideshow

Reply Report comment
DJ

Feb 26, 2017 at 4:54 pm

He’d probably be better if he was just a dummy.

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News

Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

2 days ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

3 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

3 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.