I texted Tiger Woods on his birthday but he blanked me.. we’re supposed to be friends, says DeChambeau
LIV REBEL Bryson DeChambeau has revealed he was totally blanked by Tiger Woods for joining the breakaway circuit.
That blows a gaping hole in the official LIV Golf line, peddled by players such as Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson, who claimed there is no animosity between them and PGA Tour stars.
The LIV stars, who are currently in action in Florida, have been eager to play down any talk of confrontation at next week’s Masters,
But DeChambeau’s revelation has made it clear that there is still a mood of resentment towards the players who accepted massive sums from LIV’s Saudi Arabian backers, and turned their backs on the official Tours.
DeChambeau said Woods had cut off all contact with him because he feels the controversy is harming the game of golf, and the 15 time Major’s own legacy.
When he was asked at the Florida event if anyone had blanked him for joining LIV – for a reported signing-on fee of $125million – DeChambeau replied: “Yeah, definitely. I’m sure you can guess who.”
When the former US Open champion was asked if he was referring to Woods, he laughed and said: “I’m not throwing anyone under the bus, but yeah, he’s been a great friend.
“I texted him on his birthday, but nothing. He has his viewpoints on it and thinks we’re potentially hurting his record.
“But if anything, nobody is ever going to touch his record. That’s just it, that’s the bottom line.
“There’s a chance here to grow the game even more, and I hope one day he’ll see the vision that we all have out here.”
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That confession will not have been welcomed by Koepka, Watson, and the rest of the 18 LIV players who will tee it up at Augusta.
Four-time Major champion Koepka had earlier dismissed the possibility that he could face open hostility from Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and other PGA Tour stalwarts.
Koepka said: “Down in Jupiter, we see each other. I was just with Rory and JT the other day. We see each other quite a bit. I mean, there’s a lot of conversations.
“I was talking with Rory for probably about 30 minutes, about the ball changes they’re thinking of bringing in and all the other stuff that’s going on. No one is angry at anybody from what I’ve seen.”
Watson, one of six former Masters champions in the LIV ranks, also insisted the feud had been exaggerated.
He said: “I’m going to be honest, man. It’s only awkward in the media. I’ve talked to people that are going to be there.
“I’m going to sign up with Jason Day and Cam Young in the par three competition. And some guys have already asked me to play some practice rounds.
“I have nothing against anybody. If you change jobs, I’m not mad at you. Hey, man, it’s a better decision for you and your family. Have at it.”
Watson is kidding himself. Double Masters winner Ben Crenshaw, usually seen as one of the game’s most easy-going characters, predicted Tuesday’s Champions Dinner will be “tense” because of the rebels’ presence.
And 1992 champion Fred Couples was scathing when asked about meeting up with some of the LIV players at Augusta – he branded three-time winner Phil Mickelson as a “nutbag” and described 2017 champion Sergio Garcia as “a clown”.