Golf has always brought fans together, celebrating the beauty of competition and camaraderie. But since the arrival of LIV Golf in 2022, the sport has been divided. Traditionalists back the PGA Tour, while LIV supporters rally behind the Saudi-funded league. While this competition has pushed golf to new heights, it’s also bred bitterness and comparisons. And let’s face it—LIV players have borne the brunt of it, with critics accusing them of selling out for Greg Norman’s lucrative offers. But do they really deserve all the hate?

Ultimately, they’re just golfers—athletes we admire for their skill and dedication. The question is: how far can LIV players go to reclaim their reputations? Ask Bryson DeChambeau! During a recent episode of GOLF’s Subpar podcast, fellow LIV golfer David Puig gave a shout-out to DeChambeau’s relentless efforts to soften the public’s view of the league and its players.“Yeah, for sure. I mean, there’s a softening for sure.”  Puig said when asked about the shifting opinions from fans and on social media regarding LIV Golf. “I think Bryson is doing a good job too with, you know, I guess everybody.”

Indeed, DeChambeau has been one of the more vocal players, making it his mission to show that LIV Golf isn’t just a group of golfers looking to shake up the sport for personal gain. When he joined LIV back in 2022, his move initially deepened the divide between LIV and the PGA Tour, with critics painting him as a controversial figure. But over the past few years, DeChambeau has actively worked to humanize the players involved and break down negative stereotypes associated with LIV Golf.

Through platforms like YouTube, he’s shared behind-the-scenes glimpses into his life, allowing fans to see his personality beyond the headlines. From vlogs to training sessions, this unfiltered content has helped humanize DeChambeau, shedding the “robotic” image some associated with him during his PGA days.

What’s more, DeChambeau lets his performance do the talking. Along with Brooks Koepka, he’s proven that LIV players can shine in golf’s biggest stages, including major championships. This success has helped shift the conversation, with more fans viewing LIV players as skilled athletes rather than outsiders. As Puig aptly put it, “I think fans are just starting to realize that we’re not bad people or anything like that. We’re just playing somewhere else.” This shift in sentiment is echoed in comments from DeChambeau and others, who emphasize that golf should focus on what unites everyone: entertaining fans. And let’s be honest—a merger could go a long way in bringing players and fans back together. Well, that’s what even DeChambeau believes.

Bryson DeChambeau emphasizes the PGA-LIV merger

While the merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf still feels like a far-off dream, there’s no denying the buzz around it. One of the more vocal supporters of bridging the divide is Bryson DeChambeau. After clinching his second major title at the U.S. Open in June, he shared his thoughts on what the game needs. “If I’m to be quite frank, I hope we can figure things out quickly,” he said. “I hope this can bridge the gap between a divided game.”

DeChambeau has been vocal about wanting to move past the drama, calling for unity for the sake of golf’s future. His push isn’t just about his own legacy—it’s about bringing the game and its fans back together. Whether or not his wishful thinking becomes reality, his efforts to cease this civil war and reshape the conversation around LIV Golf are worth acknowledging.