A few weeks ago, Bryson DeChambeau won the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. The victory should have been validation, right after DeChambeau quarantined by increasing his volume and changing his swing to gain absurd distance from the tee.
Instead, he was somehow overshadowed by an incident in which he was confronted by a cameraman for filming him after a poor shot in the bunker. That led to a post-round press conference where DeChambeau outlined his theory that golf broadcast networks must do more to protect player images and brands. DeChambeau later duplicated those comments.
From our original post:
The problem is, the only reason players like Bryson earn the money they earn is because of the fans’ interest in watching them play. It is quite difficult to see moments like this (which, it should be noted, was barely mentioned in the broadcast) when you can actually attend events; Now, with live crowds banned, the only link to the game is via streaming. DeChambeau scolding a cameraman for doing his job is clearly more embarrassing than any angry shooting reaction, and his comments seem to put more weight on the responsibility to protect his own image in a rights partner than his own choices.
DeChambeau struggled yesterday at 73 at the Memorial despite taking an absurd number of shots from the tee relative to the field. Today was not much better in difficult conditions, but Bryson was still very happy to make the cut when he stepped on the tee at hole 15 par 5. After hooking his momentum to an obstacle, Bryson dropped and tried to go down the putting green. anyway, shooting out of bounds.
Falling down again, he did the same. And then he almost did it a third time, although he stayed within limits. (It may not have fallen legally either.)
That looks BAD https://t.co/Aj7BtGSE6i
– Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) July 17, 2020
Bryson then filled up with Bryson, arguing with a rules officer that because his first ball was touching the metal boundary fence (albeit on the opposite side, in what looked like someone’s yard), he was actually inside of limits. After the first official said no, he said he did not believe him.
PGA Tour Live got even more out of that exchange, with Bryson suggesting that being told that his ball (which was out of bounds) was out of bounds would amount to a “junk decision as usual”:
@NoLayingUp Bryson says “they’re giving me a crappy decision as usual” and then something about “I can’t let it all get f $ &! Pic.twitter.com/0s1bKGK3U0
– Ryan Miles? (@ rymiles12) July 17, 2020
All credit to Golf Channel for returning at the time as well, albeit not a good one for the Bryson brand.
Bryson just asked about the PGA Tour manager.
– No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) July 17, 2020
After a second officer arrived, the cameras stayed with him as he tried to discuss the definition of a fence.
Eventually, Bryson ended up forcing himself to give up his efforts, finishing with a 10-in-the-hole and effectively making sure he won’t be around for the weekend.
Stand still my heart pic.twitter.com/D5tL3hIcKR
– Endangered Spiethies (@ESpiethies) July 17, 2020
Obviously, this is a great time, and a player who warms up coming off a horrible score is very compelling, especially when it comes to a character like DeChambeau.
However, after leaving on the 16th, his caddy immediately rushed to prevent the Golf Channel from filming DeChambeau as he headed down the street:
That is incredible! As with everything he said a few weeks ago, this makes him look much worse than if viewers could see him walking around with an angry expression on his face for a few seconds, or whatever he was doing. Instead, he is found pampered at best. Although the more this happens, the more it is evident why Bryson needs networks, rule officials, his caddy and everyone else to look for his brand and image: he is not able to do it himself.
