1x PGA Tour winner uses Bryson DeChambeau to take an indirect dig at LIV Golf

Bryson DeChambeau's contract at LIV Golf would be over by the end of 2026. After five-time major champion Brooks Koepka's exit, there have been a lot of speculations regarding DeChambeau's future as well. Now, a one-time PGA Tour winner has jumped into the conversation.

On December 29, Smylie Kaufman shared his take on Koepka's exit on The Smylie Show. The American pro stated in the video that although Koepka can fit into the PGA Tour roster, the same could not be said about Bryson DeChambeau, who has "found himself a little bit on LIV."

Kaufman, who played on the PGA Tour, further took an indirect dig at LIV Golf, stating that he thought Koepka left the league due to a lack of competition (around 19:27):

"He [Bryson DeChambeau] is the show over at LIV Golf. It is all about Bryson over there. I think most of that attention, it will be on him early, but if he’s not playing good golf, it kind of goes away a little bit on the PGA Tour. On LIV, every day, he is the main attraction." "...when am debating these two, I think Brooks is bothered by the lack of competition that he feels and that sense of competing against the best. Bryson, I don’t think he’s bothered by it quite as much..."

Take a look at the full clip on The Smylie Show's YouTube Channel:

Kaufman further stated that Bryson DeChambeau should not have a problem if he came back to the PGA Tour and the Tour increased its competitive level. However, Kaufman also claimed that even though DeChambeau was a good golfer, an underwhelming season could become a deciding factor for the two-time U.S. Open Champ's future.

Although Kaufman has recently taken an indirect dig at the Saudi PIF-backed golf league, he has often thought highly of DeChambeau and his game in the past.

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When Smylie Kaufman credited Bryson DeChambeau for being a "great golfer" and a "TV Star"

During an NBC Sports Group Media Conference from June 2024, Smylie Kaufman, Brandel Chamblee, and Jim "Bones" Mackay were asked about their takes on Bryson DeChambeau's impact on the game.

Kaufman praised the LIV Golf icon for impacting the sport, with his popularity and habit of expressing emotions while competing. He said (quoted via ASAP Text):

"Bryson really brings energy, brings youth to the game. His social channels have absolutely blown up. I think he's brought a very big audience..." "The fact that really he wears his heart on his sleeve out on the golf course... he is not afraid to show a little emotion... It's great for TV. I really think Bryson is a great golfer and also a bit of a TV star."

Apart from this instance, Kaufman has also commented on Bryson DeChambeau's golfing skills. In another interview in 2024, he lauded The Scientist's driving abilities, especially the direction and the way the LIV Golf icon's drives shaped the ball flight.

Edited by Hitesh Nigam