One of the most entertaining storylines in golf may, sadly, be coming to an end.
According to his coach Mike Schy, Bryson DeChambeau wants to put an end to the long-running feud he has with his Ryder Cup teammate Brooks Koepka.
The pair have been sniping at each other both in public and private for more than a year (possibly as a way to raise their profiles and earn cash from the PGA) and DeChambeau has apparently had enough and wants to do what he can to help the U.S. team win the Ryder Cup. If that means mending fences with Koepka, so be it.
“Whether or not they are both doing it to maximize their global profile, Bryson wants it over,” Schy told The Irish Times on Monday. “Move on. The bottom line is two big egos. He loves team play. At times, when he’s struggling, it can look a little selfish, but the reality is he is doing his best to contribute.”
Last month, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker said DeChambeau and Koepka both agreed to put their beef to rest for the good of American golf. “They assured me that the team and the country and everything else that goes into this is their [top priority],” Stricker told Sports Illustrated. “They said it’s not going to be an issue, and I believe them. I trust them. As far as I’m concerned, it’s been put to bed.”
If the feud is truly over, perhaps pairing DeChambeau and Koepka together at Whistling Straits would be the best way to prove it to the world. “I’d pair them together,” former Tour player and longtime golf instructor Butch Harmon said on the Off Course podcast. “I’d say, ‘All right boys, get your heads out of you’re asses and go play.’ I’d put them out the first day, first match out, Brooks and DeChambeau. I’d say, ‘Guys, I want you to suck it up and go win a damn point. This isn’t about you; this is about the Ryder Cup. This is about your team … You can have your battles next week.”
Joining DeChambeau and Koepka on the American team are Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Harris English, Scottie Scheffler and Daniel Berger. The American team has lost nine of the last 12 Ryder Cups to Europe, so if they play well and win this time around, whatever happens or doesn’t happen with DeChambeau and Koepka will fade into the background.
“Honestly, at the end of the day, the captains and assistants will take care of all that,” said American Patrick Reed, who missed out on a captain’s pick. “It’s 12 going out there and playing golf. Whether they can’t stand each other, whether they like each other, whatever it actually is, they don’t want to lose a point because of stuff like that. They’re not going to let it bother them. They’re going to go out and play, and play the best they can and try to bring the Cup home.’
Originally scheduled for last year but delayed because of the pandemic, the Ryder Cups starts Friday and will finish on Sunday.
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