In the build-up to the 2025 Ryder Cup, no one has had a bigger target on their back than Bryson DeChambeau. Part of that is DeChambeau\u2019s own doing\u2014he\u2019s done his fair share of trash talking too\u2014but as we wrote yesterday, the chatter directed at the two-time U.S. Open winner has gotten personal.<\/p>\n
In a weekend interview with The Guardian, Rory McIlroy quipped that DeChambeau only mentions himself and Scottie Scheffler when he wants attention. It was a shot across the bow from the European Ryder Cup star. A few hours later, Brandel Chamblee took dead aim.<\/p>\n
During a Monday evening monologue on \u2018Live From,\u2019 golf\u2019s hot take grandmaster likened DeChambeau to a \u201ccircus barker,\u201d questioned the authenticity of his YouTube views and branded him a \u201ccaptain\u2019s nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n
Needless to say, Bryson stock was at a low ebb on Tuesday morning, but his U.S. teammates quickly stepped in to help. During their opening press conferences at Bethpage Black, members of the U.S. squad were asked about DeChambeau, and each came to his defense, debunking the theory that DeChambeau is anything but a great competitor to have in the team room. Here\u2019s what they said:<\/p>\n
Russell Henley: \u201cI\u2019ve just really enjoyed Bryson \u2026 After Greensboro in 2021 maybe, I was leading the tournament, and I choked it away,\u201d Henley said when asked about his embattled teammate. Two weeks after, I saw him in Baltimore at Caves Valley, and he walked up and said\u2014he goes, hey, man, keep your head up, that happens to everybody, you\u2019re playing some great golf, and just encouraged me. I\u2019ll always remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xander Schauffele: \u201cI was telling Keegan, I feel like Bryson could be like the difference for us in a strange way from the standpoint of feeding into these fans, the style of golf he plays. And also how\u2014like you\u2019ll get me, I\u2019ll make a putt, and you won\u2019t see too much of a reaction. But Bryson is like, this is his arena. If he views himself as a gladiator golfer, this is as good as it gets.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been awesome. He\u2019s been awesome in the team room. I\u2019m excited to sort of see what he can do, and hopefully get a lot of points up on the board because his points might hit harder than maybe my points, for example, just because of how he might celebrate and get these fans into this tournament quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
“I feel like Bryson could be the difference for us.”<\/p>\n
Xander Schauffele says the Ryder Cup is Bryson DeChambeau’s arena. \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/IYMSrgIxvv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) September 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED: 10 questions you might ask if you were a time traveler attending this year\u2019s match at Bethpage<\/p>\n J.J. Spaun: \u201cI think what people don\u2019t realize, he\u2019s made a huge effort being a part of this team, flying to team dinners, showing up weeks that he\u2019s playing on the LIV to where we are on the PGA TOUR just to be a part of that team, and he\u2019s done a great job. He\u2019s got his own thing going on, and it\u2019s easy for us to get together because we\u2019re all playing week in and week out together.<\/p>\n I think he\u2019s done a huge job of trying to insert himself on this team. Given his personality and his brand, he\u2019s great with the fans. I think that\u2019s going to be a huge attribute to the team this week.\u201d<\/p>\n Scottie Scheffler: \u201cI mean, I think Bryson is a tremendous competitor. He\u2019s a great partner as well. I partnered with him in 2021 at Whistling Straits and he was a tremendous guy to be out to be golf course with. He\u2019s a great guy and a good friend and he\u2019s been great in our team room.<\/p>\n Like I said, he brings a lot of energy, the people love him, and I think he loves the opportunity to be able to represent his country. He\u2019s a multiple-time U.S. Open winner, and that means a lot to him. Being an American I think means a lot to him as well. I\u2019m excited to kind of unleash him this week.\u201d<\/p>\n After Brandel Chamblee called Bryson DeChambeau a “captain’s nightmare,” Scottie Scheffler praised Bryson, calling him a tremendous competitor and great partner. pic.twitter.com\/asXnJt2cGe<\/a><\/p>\n