PGA Tour Player, Golf Fans Rip Bryson DeChambeau For His Cringey Interview on CNN

LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau appeared on CNN on Tuesday night to discuss the landmark agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia responsible for the creation of LIV Golf.

DeChambeau defended PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in an interview with Kaitlan Collins that has drawn heavy criticism throughout the golf world from players and fans alike.

“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.

“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,” he continued. “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. … 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. 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.”

In perhaps the most uncomfortable part of the interview, DeChambeau didn’t exactly have a good answer for Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record.

“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.”

DeChambeau was understandably ripped by fans, and even a fellow professional golfer. Here are some tweets from around the golf world slamming DeChambeau for his discussion with Collins on CNN.

Bryson loves the spotlight so much he doesn’t get how cringe all of this looks. https://t.co/kRADoQ6Mw9
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) June 7, 2023

“The Saudis may have funded 9/11 and committed countless human rights violations in the two decades since, but they paid me a lot of money and told me not to worry about it, so I think it’s time we all forgive them.” https://t.co/sy6GAVQUCY
— Sam Connon (@SamConnon) June 7, 2023

I did not have “Bryson stumbles through an apology for 9/11” on my bingo card in all this, but I think that was perhaps a failure if imagination on my part. https://t.co/9Ev1Xx8BR1
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 7, 2023

Q: what do you think about the money coming from Saudi Arabia, who killed a Washington Post journalist?

A: “Nobody’s perfect.” https://t.co/noHe1hMsw9
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) June 7, 2023

To whoever signed Bryson up for this stage… we thank you for the content.

That was certainly a decision! https://t.co/pyuXtcMnoD
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) June 7, 2023

We are on a pathway to peace. And that pathway begins with paying me $125 million. Bryson is an imbecile. https://t.co/y7YvF6hXsH
— Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) June 7, 2023