An Amazing Transformation

When LIV exploded on the scene, professional golfers made a choice. Accept guaranteed money to play a 54-hole no cut tour with a lighter schedule scattered across the globe or stay on the PGA Tour for a no guaranteed money to play 72-hole tour with a full schedule and cuts. With some the amount of guaranteed money LIV threw around to well established players, it was no surprise when some players chose the money.

I’m not going to get into the pros and cons of LIV vs. PGA Tour in this week’s newsletter.

Instead, I want to focus on something which I find fascinating.

Overall, the players who left for LIV hurt their popularity with golf fans. Some, like Patrick Reed, cemented the dislike golf fans held for them. Popular players, like Phil Mickelson, became villains in the unfolding drama.

But there is one LIV golfer who has been different. He somehow managed to move from disliked while playing the PGA Tour to being arguably the most popular golfer worldwide.

Bryson DeChambeau.

Bryson was an unpopular player with fans. While not divisive, his personality rubbed people the wrong way. His intellect made him weird, quirky and irritating. He reminded me of some highly intelligent people I’ve encountered over the years who wanted so desperately to be liked but came across as arrogant and condescending. They weren’t bad people, but their personalities came across as annoying. Bryson fit the stereotype perfectly.

He was also disliked by fellow PGA Tour players. His feud with Brooks Koepka was legendary. It even grew into a charitable match on TV.

The dislike between the two showed up on live TV while Koepka participated in an interview. DeChambeau walked through the background with his spikes clicking on the pavement.

DeChambeau clearly walked through the background intentionally, and Koepka showed how much it annoyed him. Golf fans knew instantly the two hated each other. With Koepka being the more popular of the two with golf fans, the majority of fans backed Koepka. DeChambeau officially became a villain.

If Bryson reminds you somewhat of the TV character and physics genius, Sheldon Cooper, it makes sense. DeChambeau has a degree in physics from Southern Methodist University. Science and math are both his strong suits, and he applies both to golf.

All told, when he decided to head to LIV, he was without a doubt one of the most unpopular players in golf.

In terms of popularity, he had nothing to lose by moving to LIV. He was already a villain.

But something crazy happened. Bryson transformed himself from despised to beloved after moving to LIV despite the schism LIV created with golf fans.

How did he do it?

In the midst of the chaos of the LIV/PGA feud, DeChambeau found his voice with his YouTube channel. His personality started to emerge. Suddenly, he wasn’t the obnoxious smart guy. He was the loveable everyman having fun doing something he loves and sharing it with the world.

His popularity on YouTube is evident with his 1.63 million subscribers earning him an estimated $40k-$100k+ per month.

From training sessions to lessons to challenges, Bryson has unleashed his personality. His “Break 50” series, a two-man scramble from the red tees where he and a celebrity guest try to break 50, has featured John Daly, Tom Brady and President Donald Trump. His content is very entertaining, and all of it has played into his incredible transformation.

He and Koepka even seem to have become friends.

But one event brought it all together. The US Open at Pinehurst #2.

In the midst of the pressure cooker of a US Open, Bryson looked like he was having fun. Even while being in contention to win, he engaged with fans. Especially one fan.

A genuine moment in the heat of a US Open battle. For me, this is the moment which completed his transformation.

Of course, he won the US Open with an amazing up and down out of the bunker on the 18th hole. Having played the course, I can’t think of a more daunting shot under normal circumstances let alone with the pressure of a US Open win on the line.

I’ve tried to think of another player who transformed their image in a positive way like Bryson has. I, frankly, can’t come up with one. If an image changes, it always seems to be for the worse.

The ability to change public perception from negative to positive is a difficult task. To accomplish it in the midst of participating in controversial and divisive atmosphere is remarkable. While other LIV players popularity diminished in the eyes of serious golf fans, Bryson elevated himself and became arguably the most popular golfer in the world.

As always, be grateful when you play. Be thankful you have the privilege and opportunity to play this amazing game. Now, go golf!