‘Fake and PR Manufactured’: Bryson DeChambeau’s LIV Golf Stunt Annoys Fans as U.S. Open Popularity Crumbles

He pumped fists in the air and jumped around in elation before embracing his caddie, Greg Bodine, and rightfully so! The Pinehurst win marked his second major win, that too at golf’s toughest test. Everyone liked that reaction, and Bryson DeChambeau became the fan favorite, just like that! Since the start of this season, he has been regarded as the man of the people for his interactions with the fans. But fans are now getting tired of his showman enigma, especially as he reached Nashville.

A tweet by NUCLR GOLF showcased the golfer getting a huge ovation and a grand welcome as he arrived on-site for the LIV event. He acknowledged everyone while declaring, “This is all for you guys, for LIV Golf, baby,” to the fans and officials awaiting him at the venue. Even after winning the trophy, he wanted everyone to touch it and be a part of his victory. He walked through the crowd as they did just that while congratulating him. It truly was a moment for the fans.

Besides the fans, DeChambeau dedicated the win to his idol, Payne Stewart, and his beloved father. He shared a few glimpses of the special moment on his Instagram. He wrote, “Without a doubt, this was one of the most meaningful weeks of my life. Having all of the support from everyone out on course and around the world is definitely something I will cherish forever and never forget. I cannot thank my team, my family, my fans, and the game of golf enough for allowing these kinds of moments to happen.”

To celebrate, the 30-year-old went on a binge-drinking fest. On the winning Sunday, he was on the course till midnight, interacting with everyone and having a few drinks. He even hit a few glow-in-the-dark golf balls with his trophy seated in the bunker. Then, after he went to his hotel, he was greeted by a few fans with whom he shared more drinks. He celebrated with Eric Trump, too, drinking some red wine from his silverware as people around him cheered on.

After this victory, the two-time US Open winner went on a celebratory tour. On Monday morning, he attended the Today Show in New York City. He also celebrated his win with netizens on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show. He was welcomed with loud cheers, and guess what he did? He went into the audience so they could touch the trophy and be a part of his hard-earned win. Yes, he did it again. And everyone loved it.

In fact, even Paige Spiranac praised Bryson DeChambeau for his gesture towards the fans. The diva dubbed it a “really cool moment” while divulging how he managed to achieve his dreams: “I asked Bryson what’s his ultimate goal in life, and he said it’s to grow the game of golf. This is growing the game.”

Unfortunately, this time around, not everyone had the same kind of reaction towards the celebration and the professional’s welcome, as many took to the tweet to express their exasperation towards the golfer’s carousal after reaching the 9th LIV Golf with his trophy.

Fans dub Bryson DeChambeau’s actions as “cringy”

LIV Golf is often associated with the talk of money instead of the idea of growing the game of golf. This is especially so since it offered significant dollar bills to its players to rope them in. Even Bryson DeChambeau signed with the PIF-funded circuit in 2022 for a reported amount of $125 million. A follower on X couldn’t help but allude to the money talks while dishing out their comment under the post, “Everyone was paid $1000 to be there.”

Keeping in mind the same monetary notion, another golf enthusiast called the whole celebration in Nashville a fake one, which was orchestrated to increase the Saudi-backed league’s image: “It’s all so fake and PR manufactured.” Whether or not it’s fake, the golfer sure enjoyed a lot of support from the fans, even back at the 2024 PGA Championship, when he finished T2 behind Xander Schauffele. There were loads of people supporting the LIV Golf Pro despite him trailing Schauffele.

It was the same back at the U.S. Open when scores of fans followed DeChambeau through the holes, not to mention the exhilaration they showcased when he holed the final par putt on the 18th hole and jumped in joy. Some fans came forward to compare the crowd at the major to that at Nashville while mocking the latter: “It was going so well since Sunday, and they ruined it. Pathetic cringy gathering.” Some likened it to a concert, too! “Must be exciting going from the U.S. open crowds back to the EDM concert scramble.”

The athlete with the best card at the end of the U.S. Open receives the Jack Nicklaus medal. It refers to a gold medal that has been handed down to the champion since 1895. It wasn’t named after the legend until 2012 to honor the four-time U.S. Open champ for his accolades in the sport and at the major championship. DeChambeau was awarded the medal on Sunday, and a fan, after spotting the same on his neck in Nashville, reacted: “Still wearing the medal is peak nerd material.”

It appears Bryson DeChambeau has truly decided to enjoy the glory in all its forms, even on the Middle Eastern circuit. What do you think of his actions? Is it “cringy af,” or are you more inclined to agree with Spiranac when she said, “This is growing the game”?