After joining LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, who had been involved in a bitter feud for years, have moved past their differences.
After Bryson DeChambeau’s former rival equaled his record of two US Open titles, Brooks Koepka was the first to welcome him.
It’s no secret that the American pair had a history of animosity toward one another, involving one of the most notorious feuds in modern golf history. When they got back together prior to the LIV Golf season starting this week, though, it seemed like that was all in the past.
DeChambeau pulled off a thrilling comeback on Sunday to defeat Rory McIlroy and win a second US Open championship, four years after winning his first one. But on Tuesday, it was back to business at The Grove in Nashville when Smash skipper Koepka and Crushers captain DeChambeau ran into each other on the driving range, according to the Daily Express.
It was all smiles as the two got back together, despite once having one of the sport’s most bitter rivalries. Additionally, Koepka, who won consecutive US titles in 2017 and 2018, gave DeChambeau a hug.
That came after he had earlier this weekend, following his victory at Pinehurst, sent a sophisticated congratulations to his erstwhile opponent. Koepka posted the following on social media: “Welcome to the club, two-time US Open champion.”
Both celebrities once openly expressed their mutual contempt for one another, with Koepka being especially vocal about his emotions during that time. In 2021, the two even competed in a special episode of The Match, with five-time major champion Koepka coming out on top.
In 2019, Koepka became enraged with DeChambeau’s slow play at the Dubai Desert Classic and said, “I just don’t understand how it takes a minute and 20 seconds, a minute and 15 to hit a golf ball.” “It isn’t very difficult.”
Following that, in 2019, DeChambeau took offense by making fun of Koepka’s physique in an ESPN Body Issue photo shoot. The following year, the former made an appearance on a Twitch stream and said, “To be honest, I’m not sure if his genetics even make him look good. He didn’t even have abs on Body Issue, I can assure you of that. I have some abs.
Koepka responded cheekily, though, by sharing a picture of his impressive trophy collection at the time, which included two US Open and two PGA Championships. Since then, he has added a third PGA title to his resume, but back then, he made a joke: “You were right. Two more and I’ll have a six-pack!”
When we fast-forward to the present, their relationship seems to have completely changed. Any past animosity appears to have been resolved when both players made the decision to join the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League and quit the PGA Tour.
Before the competition began on Friday, Koepka, 34, spotted his former opponent at the Nashville range and shook hands amicably. In return, the 30-year-old DeChambeau gave his fellow two-time US Open champion a warm embrace.
That’s a far cry from the cold conversations that used to define their relationship. The two appear to have put their differences behind them since joining the LIV exodus; Koepka even shared a photo of DeChambeau and his former opponent last year.
The two seem to have kept up their good vibes when they resumed their breakaway tour, which is sponsored by Saudi Arabia. There’s no indication that the two stars still harbor animosity, despite leading opposing teams in the LIV Golf League.
After winning his first race of the year in Singapore in early May, Koepka is going for his second victory of the LIV season in Nashville. Although his Crushers team has won two, DeChambeau is still aiming for his first LIV event victory in 2024.
