Bryson DeChambeau says PGA Tour-LIV match is a step toward ‘good standing’

A planned exhibition match between the PGA Tour stars and the LIV Golf League provides an opportunity for the two sides to begin to bring the golf world together, Bryson DeChambeau said Thursday.

Speaking at Bolingbrook Golf Club ahead of the LIV Golf Chicago tournament, which begins Friday, DeChambeau said he’s happy to be involved in the event if it means he can help “get the game back on track.”

DeChambeau will play Brooks Koepka against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler in the LIV vs. PGA Tour in Las Vegas in December.

Since DeChambeau and Koepka moved to LIV, the stars on each side have only collided in four major tournaments each year.

“We want to bring this game back to a place where I can say everyone has a chance to see the biggest game more than four times a year,” DeChambeau said. “I think it’s a good opportunity to show how we’re changing that over time. The details aren’t fully fleshed out yet.”

DeChambeau, who turns 31 on Monday, is well on his way to four majors in 2024. He won the US Open, was second to Xander Schauffele at the PGA Championship and tied for sixth at the Masters, which Scheffler won.

He said he hopes that the opportunity to compete with PGA Tour players will increase.

“We’ve always wanted to have a PGA Tour and LIV battle for the last few years,” he said. “We always thought that would be great. But I think it will improve over time and hopefully give people what they want.”

As for LIV Chicago, DeChambeau said it’s important for his team — Crushers GC — to have a good week before next week’s team finals in Dallas. The Crushers have a slight lead in the season standings over Jon Rahm’s captain Legion XIII entering this weekend’s game.

“It’s incredibly important. It gives us confidence for next week,” said DeChambeau, captain of a Crushers team that includes Paul Casey, Anirban Lahiri and Charles Howell III.

“Next week is a good test for hitting the ball. Everywhere, it’s a championship-style golf course, so I think our games looking fresh and ready going into next week is important.

“I feel like I’m in a good place. I see some of my teammates are in a good place. We’re just going to play the best golf we can and hopefully we’ll get some good momentum going into next week.”