Farmingdale, NY – Bryson Deccanbeau was receiving severe criticism ahead of this week’s Ryder Cup, so US Captain Keegan Bradley went to the bat for the polarized LIV golf star.
Bradley said that Deccanbeau, the only US player not on the PGA Tour, would be an X-factor for the Americans with his play as well as the energy he brings to Beth Page Black’s home cloud.
“He’s a really fiery player,” Bradley said Tuesday. “When you come to the Ryder Cup, you don’t want to be something they don’t. We have a lot of gentle, mellow guys, so we need energy from Bryson.”
Bradley’s comments came within 24 hours after Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chambley ripped Dedanbeau out as a “captain’s nightmare” and accused him of drumming up “my interest” twice by promoting his YouTube channel rather than talking about the Ryder Cup.
“Bryson plays most of his golf on tour and most can participate in the witness protection program,” Chambley said Monday during the Golf Channel’s Ryder Cup coverage. “No one sees it, he doesn’t get any attention. So when he comes out, there’s a Circus Barker element that sparks a bit of interest.”
European star Rory McIlroy also took a recent shot at Deccanbo and said, “The only way he can get his attention is to mention someone else.”
Deccanbo said he intended to “scatter (McIlroy’s) ears” on Beth Page when asked about the possibility of facing McIlroy in the Ryder Cup after the two were paired in the final round of the Masters.
McIlroy responded to these comments in an interview with the Guardian last month.
“I think the only way he can get his attention is to mention others,” McIlroy told the Guardian. “That’s basically what I’m thinking. To get attention, he’ll refer to me, Scotty (Schaeffler) or someone else.”
When asked on Golf Channel if he responded to McIlroy’s comments on Monday, Deccanbo tried to walk the high road.
“All I’m trying to do is inspire kids on YouTube,” Deccanbo said. “Whatever Rory says is great. He meant nothing by it. I’m excited. I hope we can exchange good jokes.
DeChambeau is scheduled to play in his third Ryder Cup this week after not building a team in 2023. This is my first time playing as a member of Liv Golf in the Ryder Cup.
Dechambeau’s US teammate has praised him this week, making notes on how much he has done to get involved with the team despite not playing on the PGA Tour.
“I was telling Keegan. I feel that Bryson will be different in a strange way in terms of feeding these fans. “He was great in the team room.”
“What people don’t realize is that he is part of this team, he has put a great effort into flying to team dinners and shows the weeks he’s playing in liv where we are on the PGA Tour just to be part of that team,” JJ Spaun added. “Given his personality and brand, he’s great with his fans. I think this week will be a big attribute for the team.”
Bradley said DeChambeau faced the challenge of integrating into a team full of PGA Tour players, adding, “He did an extraordinary job of putting in the extra effort.”
Schaeffler was a “risqué competitor” and was called a “great partner” with Decánbaugh, who was paired with Deánbaugh in the Whisling Straits in 2021. World No. 1 also said that what would allow the frenzy of decanbeau to be created would play a key role in attempts to defeat Europeans.
“He brings a lot of energy and people love him,” Schaeffler said. “I’m excited to unleash him this week.”