‘I Do Feel Bad for PGA Tour Players:’ Bryson DeChambeau Talks LIV Merger on CNN

On Tuesday night, LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau appeared live on CNN Primetime for a wide-ranging interview on LIV Golf’s shocking merger with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, which was announced Tuesday morning.

“There’s a lot more behind closed doors that’s been going on. What I can tell you is that H-E, Yasir, has always been a staunch supporter of golf globally, and wanting to grow the game," DeChambeau said while presumably referring to Saudi Arabia's PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan as "H.E." for "His Excellency." Al-Rumayyan will serve as chairman of the newly created tour.

DeChambeau continued: "That’s been his vision from the start, when we first started talking a few years ago. As it’s come to fruition now I think this is the best thing that could ever happen to the game of golf. The fans are going to get what they want, the players are going to experience something a little different, a little new, but I truly believe the game of golf wins.”

DeChambeau did the one-on-one interview live with anchor Kaitlan Collins. She asked DeChambeau if he felt PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was hypocritical for criticizing the Saudi-funded league since its inception, only to do an about-face and accept Saudi funding this week.

“I do feel bad for the PGA Tour players because they were told one thing and something else happened, and our side, we were told one thing and it’s come to fruition,” DeChambeau said. “It does stink a little bit from my perspective that the PGA Tour players are not necessarily winning. I hope they can find a way to make sure that they are valued in the same way that we are over at LIV. I think that’ll happen, it’s just going to take some time with players pushing back a little bit and trying to figure out what gives them the best opportunity to be successful.”

At the end of the interview Collins asked: “Does it make you uncomfortable at all—they’re accused of financing terrorism … they’re accused of killing Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. How do you feel knowing what the money is backed by?”

“I mean look, it’s unfortunate what has happened but that is not something I can speak on because I’m a golfer," DeChambeau said. "What I can say is that, what they’re trying to do is be better allies, because we are allied with them. I’m not going to get into the politics of it, I’m not specialized in it. But what I can say is they’re trying to do good for the world and showcase themselves in a light that hasn’t been seen in a while. Nobody is perfect but we’re all trying to improve in life.”

Watch the full interview here.

Bryson DeChambeau, an early recruit to the Saudi-backed LIV tour, on the PGA merger shocker and criticism from the families of 9/11 victims: pic.twitter.com/i1R6AWjw1Z
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 7, 2023