The competition between Brooks Kopeka and Bryson DeChambeau has cooled since Liv Golf defected. In December, the two major champions even played together in a showdown against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
But just because competition is not active does not mean that both see the eyes in everything.
Brooks Koepka-Bryson DeChambeau competition
The contemptuous relationship began in 2019, when the two paired together in the rhythm of Dubai and Dechambeau, causing the anger of the infamous Quick Koepka. Then, in 2020, the two shared physical barbs in the bulk era of DeChambeau. In 2021, Koepka’s infamous Eyeroll was released at the 2021 PGA Championship, which led to Summer fan Heckling DeChambeau and reached out his head in the memorial.
But when the two of them left LIV in 2022, the competition was crushed and everyone went to great lengths to make sure there was no blood.
“We’ve come a long way. Honestly, I think it’s a big moment for us, right?” Koepka said in December about DeChambeau. “We were forced-well, I don’t want to say forced-but we communicated more and our conversation became more open. From there, I was the first person to admit that I was a little stubborn.
“We’re all getting older, we’re all a little mature, and then you realize, Hey Bryson is a good guy,” Koepka said. “I think he was seriously misunderstood, and I think the world is starting to see who Bryson DeChambeau is, which is cool. I was the first to admit this: my original idea was wrong. ”
Bryson’s strange game decision
DeChambeau and Koepka have become strange bed effects, but they are still not exactly on the same page, apparently with Liv Michigan, Cardinal at St. John’s Cathedral on Friday.
After DeChambeau’s Crushers GC and Koepka’s Smash GC won the first round, DeChambeau, as captain, had the chance to put himself first for the first time in Saturday’s match against Koepka. Instead, he chose to put Anirban Lahiri first and chose to put himself on Talor Gooch.
The decision confuses Koepka.
“I don’t know what this is thinking,” Kopka said. “I might say people would want to see this. I don’t know what he’s afraid of. I don’t know. He played his own drum. He’s a weird cat.”
Dechambeau laughed when asked why he didn’t take himself to face Koepka in Saturday’s semifinals.
“I have my reasons,” Dechambeau said.
DeChambeau’s decision, for whatever reason, paid off with a win over Gooch 1 on Saturday, while Paul Casey and Charles Howell III beat Graeme McDowell and Jason Kokrak. Koepka beat Lahiri 1 Up, but Smash isn’t enough to make the final.
After defeating Gooch, Dechambeau revealed more about his decision not to face Koepka.
“Talor played some good golf, really great golf, and I think Baan would be great for Brooks today,” DeChambeau said. “Look, I could have fought him. Brooks was a great fighter and I would love to fight him. But from a showdown perspective, I think Talor would be a more difficult force today. He hit 6 today. I shot 7 and I barely got caught his last shot.
“He’s a grinder and a fighter, and I know he’s a fighter. The hat went to Gooch. It’s hard to play with him. He’s a great wedge, a great putter. I’m sure I’m scared all day.”
DeChambeau’s Brokeners will meet with Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII and Louis Oosthuizen’s Stinger GC in Sunday’s stroke final.
