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Bryson DeChambeau: Ryder Cup week not 'about me again'

[September 22, 2021] Bryson DeChambeau insists he is determined to keep the focus of Ryder Cup week on his team.

So much so that the polarizing bomber ended -- or at least paused -- his unofficial media boycott at Whistling Straits on Tuesday.

"I think this is a team event," DeChambeau said. "I'm focused on helping Team USA to a victory, and that's honestly the reason why I'm here."

DeChambeau is making his second Ryder Cup appearance. He went 0-3-0 three years ago in the United States' loss to Team Europe in Paris. That included losing both of his foursome matches and a loss in the Sunday singles.

The 28-year-old since has climbed as high as No. 4 in the Official World Golf Ranking and claimed his first major victory at last year's U.S. Open.

However, DeChambeau has spent much of 2021 making headlines for his actions off the course.

There is the long-running feud with Ryder Cup teammate Brooks Koepka, the criticism of his equipment maker and a verbal altercation with a fan after the end of last month's BMW Championship. On the course, he has had multiple debates with rules officials and has become the focus of "Brooksy" taunts from fans.

DeChambeau admits he is trying to provide people with entertainment, and while emphasizing this week's team event, also referenced all the content he's creating for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

"Just going to do things a little different because I want to show people who I actually am," he said Tuesday. "I think it's cool when they get to see behind the scenes a little bit, see what I do during my daily life.

"It kind of opens it up to, 'Whoa, this isn't just this person because of what people think about me out on the golf course, this is actually a human being.'"

Inevitably, the conversation returns to his polarizing personality. DeChambeau understands his reputation, while trying to keep the conversations this week focused on team.

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He also said he had "some great conversations" during the Tour Championship week with Koepka and that everything "was fine" during dinner Monday night.

"I'm not going to make this about me again," DeChambeau said. "This is about a team event.

"I've got a brass chest. I've taken a lot of heat. But I'm OK with it, and I understand I'm in the place where I'm at, and it's going to be that way moving forward."

There is a lot of speculation about whom he will be paired with. DeChambeau also has been training for the Professional Long Drivers Association World Championship in Nevada later this month.

He said a comment that his hands were "wrecked" from training for both events was made before the start of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. DeChambeau said he's fine physically and that he has put "full force focus" into preparing for the Ryder Cup.

That said, DeChambeau acknowledged that it would be "pretty sweet" to see the stats if he's able to uncork a swing speed that tops 200 mph this week in Wisconsin.

"There's a whole list of holes where it's going to be a huge advantage, I hope, if I'm hitting it in the fairway," he said. "I think part of hitting it far is some of why I am so successful and how I could utilize my length on this golf course to potential advantage."

--Field Level Media

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