Q&A: Bryson DeChambeau on his transformation, YouTube epiphany, Trump’s game

DALLAS — Longtime Dallas resident and reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau has a home game coming up: the season-ending LIV Golf Team Championship here at Maridoe Golf Club from Sept. 20-22.

While onsite Thursday to promote the event, DeChambeau spoke exclusively to GOLF.com on a variety of topics, including his much-watched round with former President Donald Trump, his transformation (of both body and mind) and what action he might take if he were appointed LIV commissioner for a day.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

GOLF.com: Your YouTube channel has accumulated 1.4 million subscribers. Are you surprised by its success, and did you always think there was an audience for the kind of content you’re putting out?

Bryson DeChambeau: I always knew there was an audience for it. Look at Dude Perfect and the success they have had. I just slapped myself on the head and said that’s what I need to do. That’s what the kids are watching these days, and that’s how you interact with them. The first one I ever did got 800,000 views, and it’s just grown from there.

Your “Break 59” video with Donald Trump was a ratings hit.

To date, we have 11.7 million views on the Trump video. The John Daly video we just released has had 4.4 million views. It’s just incredible.

A few years ago, Rory McIlroy was criticized for playing golf with President Trump (McIlroy’s response was, “It’s the President of the United States asking you to play golf and it should be an honor no matter who it is.”). Given the polarizing nature of politics, were you at all concerned how some segments of your audience might receive your video?

It’s sad some people feel that way. First of all, that video was great golf content, and secondly, it raised a quarter of a million dollars for a veteran’s charity [the Wounded Warrior Project]. That was the main focus of the video. Of course, Trump is a figure and a character, and we need some of those [colorful] moments. John Daly is a character as well. That’s what makes good videos.

What most surprised you about Trump’s game?

Man, his iron play was great. I can’t tell you the number of times he stuffed it on the green within 30 feet of regulation. His driver swing is the most repeatable thing I have ever seen. I wish mine was that repeatable. Really, I do.

Former President Bill Clinton is also a big golfer. Have you considered him as a potential “Break 59” guest?

We have formally reached out to his people and are awaiting a response. That would be great.

Who’s up next on the series?

You will just have to watch and find out. We’re planning a whole new series.

News

If you were LIV commissioner for a day, what’s one change you’d make?

Wow, good question. I think I would pick up the phone and call the PGA Tour and say, “We need to have a meeting and get this thing [agreement between the two tours] worked out now.”

How important is it for LIV golfers to play in major championships?

I would say it’s a huge priority. The game is in an interesting place right now. It’s going to get figured out. I know that. I have zero doubt that it will get figured out. It’s going to take some time. But I know that every single person on LIV does want to play in major championships, wants to compete at the highest level all the time with everyone as much as possible out there in those majors.

How critical is finding a network TV partner to LIV garnering a bigger audience?  

I think it’s important, but they don’t really listen to me on that.

As LIV approaches the conclusion of its third year, what kind of progress report would you give the league?

We have changed the vision of the game of golf. I think there is so much opportunity now moving forward than there previously was. Golf in my opinion was in a place of — I feel like it was a bit stagnant. I feel like there were times where we could have done more. There was more to be done, and things weren’t necessarily done in the way that some of the players thought they could have been done.

Who, at this moment, is the most talented golfer in each of these 4 categories: driving, ball-striking, short game and putting?

When my driver is right, I say I’m up there at the top. Rory is really good, Ludwig [Aberg] is up there and Xander [Schauffele] is in a good rhythm. But when I’m right, I think I can take them.

For ball-striking, it’s got to be Scottie Scheffler, no doubt. I’ve got to get to that level if I’m going to win more majors.

Short game, I think I can really get my wedges dialed in pretty good, but Phil Mickelson is still the best for short game.

Putting, it’s got to be Denny McCarthy hands down and maybe Cam Smith. In fact, those two should have a match. That would be great entertainment.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about Mickelson that you didn’t know about him before the dawn of the LIV era?

Just how much he cares about the game, how much he cares about getting people into the game. He’s an entertainer and cares so much. I wish people could see that.

Gear

You’ve talked about how losing some of the weight you gained earlier in your career has helped you. Was there a tipping point when you said to yourself, “I’ve got to forge a new path?“

The heaviest I ever got was 241 pounds. When that happened, I looked in the mirror and said I don’t even recognize myself, and I knew I had to do something different. I’m all about throwing out what doesn’t work, and I can truly say I’m swinging harder with more power now than I ever did when I was bigger.

Speaking of swinging drivers, what’s the most common mistake you see amateurs make on the tee?

They don’t hit the swing hard at the right time. They may be swinging hard at the top of the swing, but they don’t swing hard all the way through the ball. As a result, they’re swinging hard at the wrong time.

And what’s the most common mistake amateurs make when buying a driver?

They don’t have driver, face and shaft all aligned. They may have gotten fitted, but somebody may have talked them into new technology and sometimes newer is not always better.

Your personality seems to have evolved over the years. You seem more open and accessible today than you were earlier in your career. How did that change did come about?

I would say getting a little bit older. Look, I’m only 30, about to turn 31. I’d say being a little more understanding of others and understanding what the game of golf needs is a huge component for me. I wish I know then what I know now about dealing with people.

You also seem happier today than you were in the early stages of your career. Are you?

When I was on the PGA Tour, there were a lot of projections made, and I tried to — not combat, but say, “No, that’s not me.” Finally, at some point, I just got to the place where I was like, I’ve just got to live my life and be me. I can’t try to force anybody to think of me differently. I’m just going to go do my best on the golf course, give people the opportunity to see who I am, whether it be through YouTube or on the golf course or in major championships and play the game, because this game has given me so much.

Art Stricklin

Golf.com