Bryson DeChambeau: LIV Golf only getting “bigger, badder, better”

Bryson DeChambeau feels rather bullish about the future of LIV Golf as it continues to stage tournaments around the world.

“We know it’s going to be bigger, badder, and better than ever before,” DeChambeau said Thursday in Singapore.

“It’s just going to continue growing over the next five to 10 years. Where I see it heading, you’re going to see a lot more interactions from teams. I think the competition between the teams will get heightened. There are already some rivalries going on right now, but [it will only grow as] the years go on and people win championships.”

DeChambeau has fully embraced his team, Crushers GC, which he captains. England’s Paul Casey, American Charles Howell III, and Indian Anirban Lahiri round out the squad.

“We’ve got a great bunch of guys over here at the Crushers, and we’re very lucky to have picked them early on. We’ve stuck together like glue, Gorilla Glue, I would say,” DeChambeau said.

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“They’re just solid people. More importantly, yes, we golf great and do really well on the golf course, but they’re just a great bunch of guys to hang out with, and they’re great family men. That’s really what I appreciate about those individuals.”

The team aspect of LIV Golf has not caught on in the American market as officials hope it would. But golf fans got a sense of what LIV Golf could become at last week’s LIV Golf Adelaide event.

Nearly 100,000 fans descended upon The Grange Golf Club in South Australia, which became one big party—most of those in attendance rooted for Rippers GC, an Australian team led by Cameron Smith. Lucas Herbert, Matt Jones, and Marc Leishman round out the squad.

In a thrilling playoff, this all-Australian unit defeated Stinger GC, a South African team led by Louis Oosthuizen. Rippers GC then celebrated their victory in front of their home fans, which included LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman drinking out of a shoe.

Aussie fans could not stop cheering for Rippers GC, which created a hostile atmosphere for the South Africans—an aura rarely seen outside the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.

Now LIV Golf—and its 13 teams—head to Singapore for its fourth event in the Eastern Hemisphere in 2024.

“It’s awesome to inspire younger generations in this part of the globe. I think we’re too lucky being from the States, seeing professional golf at a super high level at a young age, and it’s different over here,” DeChambeau said of playing in Asia once again.

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“It’s certainly exciting for me to see the individuals’ eyes light up in people, and it doesn’t even have to be junior. It’s also old adults who are just in love with the game, and they see us and appreciate us being here. We’re excited to provide that more and more as years keep coming.”

Sentosa Golf Club, one of the best courses in the world, will once again host this week’s LIV Golf event. Talor Gooch won in Singapore last year, defeating Sergio Garcia in a playoff.

The course used to stage the Singapore Open, one of Asia’s most prominent golf tournaments. However, tournament organizers discontinued that event after the 2022 edition, thanks to LIV Golf’s rise. Adam Scott won the Singapore Open three times, while other winners include Garcia, Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter, and Angel Cabrera.

Nevertheless, Singapore still has a professional golf tournament to boast. LIV Golf prides itself on bringing the game to the masses worldwide, especially in Asia and Australia.

“I see the global game of golf growing at an extremely high level. I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before,” DeChambeau added.

“I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, and young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and presence that LIV Golf has.”

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.