Bryson DeChambeau is embracing LIV Golf’s lighter schedule, giving him time to pursue his diverse interests between competitions. The U.S. Open champion arrived at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club for LIV Golf Virginia after a busy stretch that included playing with former President Donald Trump and practicing his short game on the White House South Lawn.
Now he’s focused on the 54-hole LIV event starting Friday. DeChambeau believes the course conditions at RTJ—thick rough and fast greens—will help prepare him for Oakmont next week, where he’ll attempt to win his third U.S. Open after victories at Pinehurst No. 2 last year and Winged Foot in 2020.
“I think LIV afforded me the opportunity to spend more time thinking, strategizing, getting my body healthy, ready for majors in a pretty unique way,” DeChambeau said Wednesday. “For me, it was a great thing. I thought there was an opportunity to do other things in life, and look, do I want to win every single tournament I show up to? 100%.”
This Virginia event marks the eighth of 14 tournaments this year for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League. It’s a notably lighter schedule than what PGA Tour players typically face. For comparison, top-ranked Scottie Scheffler will be playing his fourth event in a seven-week stretch when he tees it up at the U.S. Open.
DeChambeau hasn’t competed since last month’s PGA Championship, which Scheffler won. While Scheffler was capturing his third victory in a month at the Memorial, DeChambeau was enjoying a round with Trump and creating YouTube content that featured him hitting golf balls from a mountaintop and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
“I’ve been doing some fun side quests, yes, there’s no doubt,” DeChambeau said.
Practice Makes Perfect
When DeChambeau does compete, his practice intensity is unmatched. He hit 1,029 range balls at the Masters—more than anyone else in the field—on his way to a tie for fifth place.
The 31-year-old’s legendary work ethic developed during his junior golf days in California, when he noticed others beating him despite seemingly putting in less effort.
“It stemmed from me not being as good as others and then realizing I can only be as good as how hard I work,” DeChambeau explained. “So I just became obsessed with hitting crazy amounts of golf balls.”
Known for his scientific approach to optimizing his swing and equipment for a consistent ball flight—preferably a long, high draw—DeChambeau also dedicates practice time to the unconventional shots that often decide tournaments.
“As much as I am a robot, and try to swing it as straight as possible and just stable as possible, I still do have to hit cuts and draws and hit weird shots every once in a while,” he said. “Giving myself those opportunities in the bunker, in the bush, whatever, has only aided in my golf career.”
