Bryson DeChambeau is starting to become a problem for golf

Bryson DeChambeau remains a polarizing figure across the golf world, both as a player and a man, and despite that mixed opinion, his recent actions make it hard to defend the two-time major winner.

This status isn't new; his online social media presence and eccentric style of play have become heavily debated among fans of the sport, even as they reach new audiences and contribute to a new level of fandom. He still made some decisions that are, without a doubt, questionable for the good of the sport.

The main critique of DeChambeau that remains difficult to defend is his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, and while time has slightly healed that wound, new developments have reopened the gash.

Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka recently rejoined the PGA Tour under an extremely lenient program launched by the PGA to persuade high-level LIV golfers such as DeChambeau, and it looked to be a win-win opportunity. However, DeChambeau opted not to accept the offer immediately and instead halfheartedly reaffirmed his commitment to finish out his LIV contract.

While it's an optimistic response for the PGA, and compared to the other stars, DeChambeau's answer gave reason to believe he's considering the offer, it's unclear if such a great return opportunity, as Koepka received, will be available.

It reaffirms the reasons people attach negative connotations to LIV golfers: ducking top opponents, prioritizing money, and leaving ethics aside. Then take Bryson's handling of the situation; a very real problem in the sport, he's used for clicks.

For a man who is the idol to many young golfers, the unawareness of his stature in the game is clear. DeChambeau is a player who, whether he likes it or not, will be analyzed after every move; it's an honor reserved for the biggest stars.
Those who receive the honor must grow the game, give back what it gave to them, and teach the next generation to embody the values of golf while remaining personable.
Bryson does that, but he also makes decisions that harm the sport's very fabric and conflict with what it stands for. That notion is only reinforced when news broke that DeChambeau opted to become the first Kalshi athlete partner.

If you haven't heard of Kalshi, it's a leading prediction market that allows people to place bets on practically anything, and the regulations surrounding the new trend are very limited. Opinions on Kalshi remain extremely mixed, for good reason, as they currently face multiple lawsuits.

This didn't make DeChambeau change his mind; he chose to do commercials, social media posts, and events, and allowed the creation of Kalshi markets tied to play. It's something that completely contrasts with the buttoned-up. professional vibe of golf, which, despite its attempts to modernize the brand, persists.

That doesn't mean DeChambeau or the game has to change, but the star needs to accept the implications of his actions and how it affects the sport, which he hasn't yet. There's a sweet middle ground, and it appeared that was closer to being found at the Ryder Cup, and even in the Happy Gilmore 2 movie, where DeChambeau appeared alongside other great golfers.

He triumphs in the media and in his impact on the game when he buys into that passion and his self-identity, not sensationalism, which he seems to favor.