Bryson DeChambeau opens up about tough criticism: ‘It’s hard to see’

Bryson DeChambeau is back in action for the first time since missing the 2026 PGA Championship. Ahead of this week’s LIV Golf Korea event, despite continued speculation about LIV Golf’s future, the two-time winner gave extensive commentary on where his game and LIV’s push for new investors stands.

In addition to revealing the easiest and “best” way he can contribute to LIV Golf’s survival, DeChambeau opened up about the “harsh” criticism he recently received, and how that criticism has affected him and his future plans.

DeChambeau reveals how he can help LIV survive: ‘Giving everything I can’

DeChambeau has spoken out several times since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund chose to withdraw future funding from LIV Golf.

At times, DeChambeau has flirted with the idea of ​​a PGA Tour comeback. Often responding in kind, he has floated the idea of ​​quitting professional golf and becoming a full-time YouTube creator.

But on Monday at the 2026 LIV Golf Korea event in Busan, South Korea, DeChambeau sounded like he was completely on board to help LIV Golf secure its future presence.

He said he was “surprised” by PIF’s sudden decision to leave LIV Golf, but also expressed “hope” in LIV’s business plan.

“That surprised us [the PIF] take them out as quickly as they do. We didn’t see that coming,” DeChambeau said Monday. “But it’s okay. One door closes, another opens. I think that’s how most of us look at it. I think we all hope that there is a business plan that makes sense for club golf. I would really like to actually – how do I say it? I’m very optimistic about the club golf business plan compared to other models, in my opinion.”

“But again, other models have worked as well, so I won’t say that one is better than the other, but I see the value in what the golf club can offer not only to the world but also to grassroots the game of golf,” he continued. “National support, national party support, local city support, and we’re based there. There are a few ideas that we have – very few ideas that we have that would be interesting.”

While DeChambeau talked about LIV Golf’s club format, and how that could appeal to fans and be financially successful, LIV Golf’s current business plan is simple: get serious investors quickly or go out of business. Bryson said that too.

“We will see if the investors like it or not,” he said. “I’m giving everything I can to make it happen, and if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.”

When asked how Bryson can help LIV Golf in its quest for new funding, DeChambeau said “ultimately it’s up to management,” while his most important roles are to play well this week, sign autographs and “have fun.”

“I go out there with the first ball on Thursday and hit a good drive down the middle of the fairway, hopefully. That’s what we’re focused on. On the back end, yeah, we try to help where we can, but ultimately it’s up to the management and everybody to come together. If we all come together, there’s an opportunity here. If not, it’s going to be a different day for all of us,” DeC said. “But for me, the way I support it, I go out and hit the ball in the first game, play good golf, sign autographs and then have fun.”

Bryson DeChambeau thanks ‘tough’ critics for fueling ‘good fire’

DeChambeau was a divisive figure in pro golf before LIV Golf arrived. When he gave the fledgling league a major boost by joining in 2022, criticism mounted.

LIV Golf’s recent funding issues and his sometimes controversial and controversial plans for the future have led to heavy criticism of DeChambeau. Missed cuts in the first two majors of the year didn’t help Bryson’s case.

When asked how he copes with such a terrible attack in his LIV Golf Korea press conference, DeChambeau spoke at length, declaring his “respect” for everyone’s opinion, even if those opinions end with “you are the worst thing in golf.”

“I respect everybody’s opinion of me. I respect everybody who says I’m the worst golfer or the best golfer. That’s fine,” DeChambeau said.

He went on to explain that the criticism “doesn’t interfere” with his “big job” to help the sport, and that he cares a lot about golf because he has seen “what it can do for people’s lives.”

“The truth is that I am so focused on what I can do in this game that someone saying something on the Internet or to me in person will not distract me from the work that I have,” explained DeChambeau. “I hope I can understand that, that my goal is bigger than winning every tournament every week. Do I want to win every week? 100 percent. Do I care about the game sometimes more than my life? Yes. Because I see what it can do in people’s lives. That’s why I ultimately care so much and I’m interested and I want the best for everyone.”

DeChambeau also thanked his critics, because although he admits that criticism is “hard to see,” it also gives him “motivation” and helps him make decisions in his life.

“So when people say these things about me, I know my job. I know what I’m here for. Sometimes it’s hard to see, but sometimes it inspires me. It fuels a good fire in my belly. I have to truly thank everyone because it’s what helps me make the next decision in my life, in a positive way. It’s never been negative,” he said. “I never try to do things despite or without regard for things or people or anyone else. On the other hand, this side, it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, we’re playing golf. We’re just hitting the ball 450 yards away, sometimes longer.”

He continued: “I think people like to say something, and you have to respect that. I think everyone’s opinion is valid. All I can do is continue to be the best I can every day, whether I win tournaments out here, win majors or not win majors or end up dead here. It doesn’t matter to me, as long as I work as hard as I can and give it my all, that’s the most important thing.”

“I hope that I will look and see a child looking up and smiling at me so that I can sign an autograph because that is what makes me come back every day.”

The 2026 LIV Golf Korea event starts on Thursday. DeChambeau gets his next chance to break his streak in a few weeks at the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, where he will be chasing his third title.

“I’m very excited about the future at Shinnecock and overseas, and the Open Championship,” DeChambeau said at the end of the press conference. “Collect, move forward.”