Pro questions whether Bryson DeChambeau is ‘genuine’

DP World Tour pro Eddie Pepperell has questioned whether Bryson DeChambeau’s actions at the PGA Championship were “genuine.” 

DeChambeau may not have won the second major of the year, but he certainly won hearts in Valhalla and proved captivating viewing for fans with his thrilling Sunday charge.

The former US Open champion’s popularity soared due to his antics both on and off the course in Kentucky, despite falling just one short of Wanamaker Trophy winner Xander Schauffele.

Midway through his epic final round 64, DeCchambeau admonished a fan who snatched the ball he had thrown towards a youngster in the crowd. A video of the incident went viral and earned DeChambeau further support for his sincerity.

But while Pepperell insists that he remains one of the biggest losses for the PGA Tour after his LIV defection, it would appear that the Englishman still has doubts over the DeChambeau’s authenticity.

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“The cynic in me gives it at least a 50/50 chance that he’s not genuine,” Pepperell said on The Chipping Forecast when discussing the fan incident. I think it doesn’t [matter] if it comes across as mostly genuine.

“Obviously to Bryson, the issue maybe for Bryson is that there’s been enough things happen in his career where, you know, it makes you just doubt, it gives you a bit more doubt.

“I think with Phil Mickelson, he rarely had those instances during his career that made you – certainly publicly – consider whether or not he was genuine. For a long, long time, everyone believed this is Phil Mickelson.

“Of course, we’re all a bit like that to some degree, but I do think Bryson is that way. I remember in Saudi Arabia a long time ago when I was there, I lost my luggage and he bought me some toothpaste.  He was genuinely very kind. He bought me some toothpaste and a few bits and bobs from the store and the hotel. He did it, nobody else did it and it was very nice.

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“Then I played with him a couple of months after that in Mexico and I remember having a conversation with him… We were having a conversation down one hole and, just mid-conversation he just completely cut out and started talking to his caddie about something else as if he was entirely vacant the whole time.

“So I think I’ve seen both sides of Bryson and I think because he’s a superstar and because he knows he’s a superstar I think he plays up to that. I do think he’s also tried to turn a corner, personally, and so these acts of service, if you like, are becoming a bit more ingrained and a bit more genuine.

“But, I’m still not sure I’m fully bought into Bryson. That being said, I love his game and I love what he does for the game and the way he goes about his business. I think he’s totally refreshing.”