While off-court golf is seldom compelling, it’s been a fun year with some off-the-pitch dramas between two of the sport’s biggest stars, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
They don’t like each other and that’s fine.
But it’s not okay to choose a side and pretend you’re at any other sporting event in America that is a sporting event with tickets because today PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, the shouting “Brooksy!” In a nutshell. at Bryson during tournament play.
Shouting at Bryson DeChambeau or saying “Brooksie” is now considered disrespectful can result in disqualification from a tournament. This directly from Commissioner Jay Monahan. It has become a problem to be disrespectful to the players and the game.
– Michael Collins (@ESPNCaddie) August 31, 2021
This goes back to the epic six-hole playoff at the BMW Championship last weekend, in which Patrick Cantlay dramatically defeated DeChambeau after a missed birdie putt in another shootout on the 18th hole.
Halfway up the hill something happened that made me feel like I was in a wretched place in the endless DeChambeau circus. A guest waited for DeChambeau to pass, but was not out of earshot, then sneered over the rope, “Great job, Brooksie!” DeChambeau spun around angrily and began walking briefly in his direction.
“You know what? Get the F — out!” DeChambeau shouted. He had anger in his eyes.
Mocking a golfer at his low point may not be the most respectful thing to do, but basically it is accepted in most places in the US for needing the talent, as long as you don’t cross borders (racial, homophobic, etc.). And with golf and tennis, you are even offered the added courtesy that no one is talking or even having a cell phone available while you are actually competing. It’s pretty good business!
But that is apparently not enough for the PGA. I wonder if Koepka will be sending free packs of 12 to those who are victims of this policy.
And I’m sure that the European fans in Whistling Straits for the Ryder Cup will also respect this rule in a few weeks’ time. To the right.