'It Was Very Thoughtful And I Was Appreciative Of It' - Bryson DeChambeau Confirms Contact With Tiger Woods
Following his second US Open victory in June, DeChambeau revealed that the 15-time Major winner came up and congratulated him on the range at The Open Championship
![Bryson DeChambeau and Tiger Woods hit tee shots and watch the flights](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wye9Zde96taufEWiuoMfcR-415-80.jpg)
Throughout 2024, there's no denying that Bryson DeChambeau has been one of the top players in the world, with the American claiming a dramatic US Open title, as well as a runner-up finish in the PGA Championship.
Arguably, DeChambeau is the player who has got the most out of his LIV Golf move, as he is now a fan favorite after launching his YouTube channel, and now seems to have re-found his form after winning a Major and firing a 58 at LIV Golf Greenbrier.
However, the split in golf following players' moves to the League has been well documented and, in the case of DeChambeau, he seemed to confirm in March 2023 that former friend and Ryder Cup teammate, Tiger Woods, had cut him off following the move to LIV.
Now though, at The Open Championship which, for 2024 is taking place at Royal Troon, it appears the two have made contact as, following his first round, DeChambeau revealed that Woods had congratulated DeChambeau on the range following his US Open victory in June.
Speaking to the media after a five-over-par round of 76 on Thursday, DeChambeau stated: "It is the first communication, but I'll say he's competitor and I have a lot of respect for him. I'm sure that winning two US Opens definitely helped, I guess, for him coming up and saying congrats. I don't know what his position is, but it was very thoughtful, and I was appreciative of it".
As mentioned, DeChambeau claimed that Woods cut off the two-time Major winner following his move to LIV Golf, with the duo previously regularly playing practice rounds together and paired at the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris.
DeChambeau and Woods at the 2022 PGA Championship
However, speaking to Golfweek's Adam Schupack, DeChambeau stated: "Yeah, definitely, I’m sure you can guess who. I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus. He’s (Tiger) been a great friend. I texted him on his birthday.
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"It is what it is. He has his viewpoints on it and thinks we’re potentially hurting his record. If anything, nobody is ever going to touch his record. That’s just it, that’s the bottom line. There’s a chance to grow the game even more and I hope one day he’ll see the vision that we all have out here."
Along with DeChambeau and Woods, there was also a riff between good friends Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy, with the pair falling out over the LIV Golf-PGA Tour rivalry. After a lengthy squabble, Garcia did claim that the pair had rekindled following the 2023 US Open.
According to the Spaniard: "Angela (Garcia's wife) and Rory said ‘Hi’ to each other at the US Open and there was a nice text from Rory to her. That kind of gave me the go-ahead to reach out to him. I had been thinking about it for a while but I wasn’t totally sure about it. And when I saw that reaction from him, he kind of gave me the go-ahead to get closer. We had a great chat. It was two friends that wanted to get back to that spot. That’s the most important thing".
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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