Just days before the Ryder Cup teed off at Bethpage Black, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee reignited his long-running criticism of Bryson DeChambeau with fresh remarks that quickly backfired.
Chamblee labeled the LIV Golf star “an odd duck” and “a captain’s nightmare,” questioning his team-first mentality and dismissing his YouTube channel as “dubious,” even suggesting its views were inflated by bots.
DeChambeau, who’s the only LIV player to earn automatic qualification for Team USA, had already made his case with results. His win at Pinehurst and six top-10 finishes in the last eight majors secured his spot.
Still, it was Paige Spiranac, one of golf’s most influential voices and Bryson’s co-star in “Happy Gilmore 2,” who called out Chamblee for his words.
“Brandel saying Bryson is a ‘captain’s nightmare’ is such a weird take,” Spiranac posted on X on Wednesday. “He’s the perfect person for this type of team event. He gets the people going! Will be fun to watch his matches this week.”
The support didn’t stop there. Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Team USA captain Keegan Bradley all backed DeChambeau, calling him the team’s “X-factor” during the press conference ahead of the opening ceremony.
This isn’t Chamblee’s first swing at Bryson. Back in 2021, he criticized the LIV pro’s pace of play, calling his approach “detrimental to the game.” The tension between the two has lingered ever since, often flaring up around major events.
But this time, fans had the final word.
During the opening ceremony, cheers for Bryson drowned out the criticism. And when the 32-year-old was asked about Chamblee’s comments while signing autographs, he responded with a cheeky grin.
“Did Brandel say something yesterday? I don’t know what it was,” DeChambeau stated, as captured in a video on X.
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That classic, playful Bryson is exactly what fans show up for — and what Team USA might just need this week.
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