Ahead of the Open Championship, LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau has faced criticism from golf analysts regarding his career trajectory and focus. Brandel Chamblee, a prominent analyst for The Golf Channel, questioned DeChambeau's drive for major championships, suggesting a shift in priorities towards his burgeoning YouTube presence.
"It's almost like he went from chasing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to chasing Grant Horvat," Chamblee stated during The Golf Channel's 'Live From The Open' broadcast. "It's like he wants to outdo every YouTuber in the game instead of outplay everybody in the game of golf."
DeChambeau, a two-time major winner, is entering the Open at Royal Birkdale aiming to make the cut in a major championship for the first time this year. He has previously missed the cut at the Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open. His sole victory in the past four years came at the U.S. Open in 2024, with his move to LIV Golf in 2022 on a significant contract alongside other major champions.
Chamblee's comments were not the only critique leveled against DeChambeau. Golf legend and analyst Nick Faldo also expressed doubts about DeChambeau's strategic approach to links-style courses. "That's a whole part of the story, how they're superstars at LIV then come over and can't do it," Faldo remarked on Sky Sports. "He has – I'd say it to his face – he has zero clue of strategy."
Faldo, a three-time Open champion, elaborated on course strategy, stating, "Well, I've never attacked a links. You thread it, don't you? You feed it down the fairway."
DeChambeau's future with LIV Golf has also been a subject of discussion. The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, LIV's financial backer, announced it would not extend its financial backing beyond the current season, casting uncertainty over the circuit and its players. In May, DeChambeau told ESPN that if LIV were to collapse, he would be interested in expanding his YouTube channel and playing in tournaments that would host him.
