But there’s one rivalry in the up-and-coming generation, and that’s between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. Maybe it’s more of a feud — call it whatever you’d like. But two of the PGA Tour’s best players have had a few attention-drawing spats. They enter the 2020 Masters with DeChambeau ranked sixth in the world and Koepka ranked 12th, and before the week is over at Augusta National, they may be asked about each other once or twice more (or in a made-for-television godsend, maybe they’ll wind up in the same group on the weekend).
Here’s a look back at the notable moments in Koepka and DeChambeau’s relationship (so far).
MORE: A history of Tiger Woods at the Masters
January 2019: Brooks Koepka complains about Bryson DeChambeau’s slow play
Golf has not been immune to the pace-of-play discussion that’s made its way into a number of sports. DeChambeau is one of the slower competitors on tour, approaching each shot with a scientific process that requires more time than your average golf shot at the local course.
Koepka was asked about his thoughts on slow play shortly after that video clip of DeChambeau above, while speaking on the Golf’s Monthly podcast. This is what Koepka had to say:
DeChambeau had a response.
The PGA Tour updated its pace-of-play rules in January. Any player who takes more than 120 seconds to take a shot will be assessed an Excessive Shot Time. Officials can then assess a one-stroke penalty for the second bad time in a tournament, and for every bad time thereafter. Players will also be fined for such times.
“We try and speed up. Trust me, we do our due diligence to speed up and do our best. We’re not trying to slow anyone down. I’m not trying to slow anyone down. It’s just a part of the process, and unfortunately the Rules of Golf allow for a certain amount of time, and we’re (using it) to our fullest potential.”
The tour put together an Observation List based on ShotLink data, which tells them how long players take for each shot (it’s not publicly available data). Then officials can choose to monitor especially egregious individuals on a specific basis.
You can also read this entertaining piece from Golf Digest to see if Koepka really has a case about DeChambeau’s shot-playing.
August 2019: DeChambeau admits Koepka would ‘kick my ass’ in a fight
On SiriusXM Radio, DeChambeau and Koepka were both on the same show with Michael Collins. They had recently met and spoke on the practice green at a tournament, and things appeared amicable. When DeChambeau was asked about it, he put himself in his place.
“Let’s be honest, we know who would win that fight,” DeChambeau said of a hypothetical bout between him and Koepka. “And it’s not me.”
Koepka hammered the point home: “You got that right.”
DeChambeau again said “I want to make it faster, no doubt.” And then in showing his youth, he concluded his comments with this: “I would love it if I was done in two hours and ‘See ya later.’ I’d be playing ‘Fortnite’ all day long.”
July 2020: Koepka trolls DeChambeau with ‘steroid’ tweet
When the PGA Tour returned from its coronavirus shutdown, DeChambeau looked as strong as ever and was hitting his drives further than any player had consistently in the tour’s history. That led to wondering whether DeChambeau’s bulking up was all protein shakes and muscle activation, as he claimed.
Koepka got in on the action, too. He went for the subtweet approach this time, using a Kenny Powers GIF to troll DeChambeau.
After winning a tournament in September, DeChambeau was asked about the added length to his game.
“I was hitting it (like) just a normal, average tour player a year ago,” DeChambeau said. “And then I all of a sudden got a lot stronger, worked out every day, been working out every day, and all of a sudden — not because of clubs, but because of me — I was able to gain 20, 25 yards.”
DeChambeau concluded with an inconvenient word choice: “You’ve kept me pushing the needle, moving the needle, and (my supporters are) going to keep inspiring me to.”
July 2020: Koepka jokes about DeChambeau’s ant near his ball comment
During the first round of the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, DeChambeau hit a shot into the trees and asked for relief from the landing spot due to a red ant near his ball. The request was denied.
Koepka had obviously heard about the request, and the next day, he hit a drive in a similar location. After lining up over his ball, he stepped away and said to his caddy, “There’s an ant.”
After a pause, Koepka clarified that he was joking. Nick Faldo remarked on the broadcast, “Bryson is definitely causing some entertainment out there.”
May 2021: Koepka reacts to DeChambeau comment during interview
Koepka, giving an interview following the second round of the 2021 PGA Championship, was seemingly interrupted by DeChambeau while discussing the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, S.C.
Warning: Explicit language used.
It’s hard to tell from the video what DeChambeau said to elicit Koepka’s reaction. But according to replies to the original tweet from people who claimed to be there, he said, “Maybe you should hit it on the right line” after Koepka said he found the course “difficult to read.”
The fued between DeChambeau and Koepka spilled out onto social media over the next 48 hours.
Koepka fired the opening shot after NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers was announced as DeChambeau’s partner for “The Match” against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady.
When DeChambeau responded he’s “living rent free” in Koepka’s head, Koepka shared footage from a fan calling DeChambeau “Brooksie” during a PGA Championship practice round.
The USGA is reportedly arranging a featured group for the U.S. Open that would pair Koepka and DeChambeau with Gary Woodland, the last three winners. We can only hope.
