Once upon a time, not too long ago, Brooks Koepka versus Bryson DeChambeau was golf’s best rivalry.
The two major champions had real disdain for one another that made for must-see television, but since joining LIV Golf, the rivalry has cooled off and has all but subsided.
That doesn’t mean they are best friends all of a sudden, but it’s clear the once-heated rivalry is no longer.
“We’ve come a long way,” Koepka said of DeChambeau last December.
“Going to LIV, honestly, I think that was a big moment for us, right? We were forced — well, I don’t want to say forced — but we were communicating a lot more, our conversation became a lot more open. From there, I’m the first person to admit I can be a bit stubborn.
“We all get older, we all mature a little bit, and then you realize, ‘Hey, Bryson’s a good dude.
“I think he’s severely misunderstood, and I think the world is starting to see who Bryson DeChambeau is, which is cool. I’m the first person to admit it: I was wrong with what my original thoughts were.”
However, it’s still not perfect between the two players when they meet on the course as was evident at LIV Michigan, the team championship, at the Cardinal at St. John’s.
After DeChambeau’s Crushers GC and Koepka’s Smash GC each won their opening matchups, DeChambeau had the chance to face Koepka head-to-head on Saturday.
As captain, it was DeChambeau’s call to make. In a rather head-scratching move, he sent out Anirban Lahiri first instead, and slotted himself in second against Talor Gooch.
Koepka was just as confused.
“I don’t know what the thinking was behind that,” Koepka said. “I’d probably say the people would want to see that. I don’t know what he was afraid of. I don’t know. He beats to his own drum. He’s a strange cat.”
“I’ve got my reasons,” DeChambeau answered when he was asked why he didn’t pick himself to face his old foe.
DeChambeau’s decision ultimately paid off, as his team defeated Koepka’s (even though Koepka defeated Lahiri).
Is there trouble brewing ahead of the Ryder Cup between the two enemies-turned-friends? Unlikely, as one of them won’t be on the team.
DeChambeau automatically qualifies to be on Team USA as he finished sixth in the team rankings. The top six all make it. There’s no sweat there.
Captain Keegan Bradley then drafts the other six to complete the team. Koepka finished all the way at 76 as he struggled this season, missing the cut in three of this year’s four Majors.
Koepka has played in the last four editions of the Ryder Cup, including 2023, but the impressive streak looks to be coming to an end.