After his practice round yesterday at Augusta National, American Bryson DeChambeau, one of the stars of LIV Golf who has a chance to compete in this Masters, was questioned about the negotiations between the Saudi tour and the PGA Tour to reach an agreement that puts an end, once and for all, to the disagreement caused in world golf over the last two years.
Specifically, the ‘scientist’ was asked if a victory by a LIV player this week at the Green Jacket tournament would help speed up the conversations between both circuits. Although Bryson does not believe that both issues are related to each other: “I think the negotiations continue with or without victory. If a LIV player won this week, including myself, we would all be very excited or happy, whoever it was. But I’m not so sure that the other party is. Although I suppose that is something they have to decide”.
“We have to keep talking to players from both sides, show that there is a benefit for everyone, a peace that I hope many people can start to see”
“From the point of view of negotiation, I don’t think it changes much,” he insisted. And although in his opinion, these decisions have to be made by the high spheres of world golf, he believes that players can contribute their bit: “We have to keep talking to players from both sides, show that there is a benefit for everyone, a peace that I hope many people can start to see”.
“I’ve had some ideas for a long time. Unfortunately, you can’t say them publicly because they scrutinize and criticize you, and everyone then throws things in your face. I want to be very cautious because I don’t know what the future of golf in general will be, I’m just a spectator trying to play golf and help fans get back to winning because they need it,” he said.
“And people can say that I stepped aside, but I did it for my family and for what I had in front of me at that time. I think my mother, probably, would have slapped me if I hadn’t accepted the offer. Everyone has their own prerogatives and desires, and all I want is for us all to agree on some things and get back to a playing field where we can all have fun together,” he detailed.
“I would love to continue showing my skills in different places, whether it’s at Shriners or at the Arnold Palmer, Mr. Nicklaus’ event, the TPC Las Vegas…”
Would DeChambeau be willing to request his return to the PGA Tour if he were not suspended? The Californian is clear: “Look, I would love to continue showing my skills around the world in different places, whether it’s at Shriners or at the Arnold Palmer, Mr. Nicklaus’ event, the TPC Las Vegas… I would love to play those events. They have been great for me. Even Riviera. I would love to play Tiger’s tournament; organize a fantastic tournament in a good community with great people. That’s what I hope to be able to do in the future”.
“Do I want to play a full schedule? I don’t know. We’ll see how things develop. I don’t know what the future will be like and I’m not here to decide it. But, would I like to play some tournaments? Sure, the ones I really enjoyed and where I made many friends and helped to positively influence the community, of course”, explained DeChambeau.
He also talked about what his dream scenario in golf would be in five years: “Wow, that’s an interesting question. I can answer in many ways. Quickly, I would say that, first of all, it could be like the NFL, with the NFC and the AFC working on their own fields and, in the end, joining together and organizing a great event at the end of the year. It could be great. Or you could integrate it. Integrate the team aspect into the individual event. Combine them to increase their value”, he concluded.
Rahm and Niemann also speak out
Interestingly, the first question for Joaquín Niemann in his media attention yesterday in Augusta was the same as for DeChambeau. And the Chilean’s response, similar, unlinking a boost in negotiations if a LIV player wins the Masters on Sunday: “I don’t think it really affects. I think there are already too many good players on each circuit. I don’t think a LIV player has to win the Masters for things to change. I think things are already changing, and they are going to come to a solution, with an agreement or whatever they are trying to do, for the better”.
Jon, for his part, spoke to the BBC focusing mainly on the possibility that LIV events are played at 72 holes, something that, in his opinion, would help there to be a meeting point with the PGA Tour: “I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but definitely, I wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes. If there was ever a way in which the LIV could get to 72 holes, I think it would help a lot with this whole argument. The closer the LIV Golf gets to other things, the better. I think it would be for some kind of unification to feed a world circuit or something like that”.
