Bryson DeChambeau gave an intriguing interview to CNN with Kaitlan Collins based on the PGA Tour’s new partnership with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
The former US Open champion described the move as “the best thing that could ever happen to the game of golf” and he believes the “game of golf wins in this scenario.”
DeChambeau moved to LIV last summer and he has since become the captain of the Crushers, a team containing Anirban Lahiri, Charles Howell III, and Paul Casey.
In his interview that gained significant traction on social media, he expressed sympathy for his former PGA Tour colleagues, claiming his peers at LIV Golf received better information when deciding whether to join or stay with the tour.
“I really feel bad for the information delivered to players on the PGA Tour and the ones that stuck with them,” he said.” We did take a risk – and there was a reason for taking that risk relative to the capital that had to be paid out for that to occur.
“I do feel bad for the PGA Tour players because they were told one thing and something else happened. On our side, we were told one thing and it’s come to fruition.
“It does stink that the PGA Tour players aren’t winning and I hope they can find to way to make sure they are valued the same way we are over at LIV.
“I think that will happen, it’s just going to take some time with the players pushing back a bit and figuring out what gives them the best opportunity to be successful from their own end.”
DeChambeau also fielded questions concerning the 9/11 Families United group that has since made clear its outrage at PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan’s new relationship with the PIF of Saudi Arabia.
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The group opposed the founding of LIV Golf for its association with Saudi Arabia last year and in a recent statement, chair Terry Strada described the tour and Monahan as “paid Saudi shills.”
Along with the 9/11 attacks, the Saudi regime has often dealt with strong accusations concerning its human rights record and the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi.
DeChambeau identified himself as a professional golfer and not a man in politics, but hoped the new merger and LIV Golf itself can “make the world a better place.”
“We’ll never be able to pay the families back for what exactly happened just over 20 years ago, and what happened is definitely horrible and I think as time has gone on, 20 years has passed, we’re in a place where it’s time to start trying to work together to make things better together.
“I don’t know exactly what they’re feeling, I can’t ever know what they feel but I have a huge amount of respect for their position and what they believe – nor do I want anything like that to occur again.
“We have to look forward to a pathway to peace and forgiveness, especially if we’re trying to mend the world and make it a better place.
“This is what they’re trying to accomplish and what LIV is trying to accomplish, what the PIF is trying to accomplish, and what we’re all trying to accomplish.
“Nobody’s perfect and we’re all trying to improve in life.”
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