Tiger Woods has sent an olive branch to Bryson DeChambeau following the souring of their previously close relationship. The pair were pals before the launch of LIV Golf two years ago, with DeChambeau defecting to the Saudi-backed rebel tour while Woods stayed loyal to the PGA Tour.
The 15-time major winner was also said to be unhappy with ‘The Scientist’ for his alleged slow play at the 2022 Masters. Woods was in a group behind and was among the players held up.
A birthday message from DeChambeau to Woods also reportedly went unanswered as strained relations between the pair continued. However, that frostiness is showing signs of thawing after Woods this week offered his congratulations to DeChambeau following his recent US Open success.
Related articles
“It is the first communication [for a while],” confirmed DeChambeau ahead of the Open Championship. “But I’ll say he’s a competitor and I have a lot of respect for him.
“I’m sure that winning two US Opens definitely helped, I guess, for him coming up and saying congrats. I don’t know what his position is, but it was very thoughtful, and I was appreciative of it.”
DeChambeau has also broken the ice with Rory McIlroy, whose late collapse paved the way for his second US Open success. After seeing his first major for a decade slip through his fingers, McIlroy stormed out of Pinehurst without congratulating the victor or fulfilling media commitments.
However, the Northern Irishman made amends by speaking to DeChambeau at Troon ahead of the Open. The American revealed: “I said hello to him and we talked. He said congratulations, so everything’s great there. He’s a fierce competitor.
“I know he’s going to give the fans as much as he can this week. I’m going to be doing the same. We’re going to be competing. Hopefully, it will be another good battle.”
Woods, McIlroy and DeChambeau may not be around for the weekend though after enduring nightmare opening rounds at Troon. Woods cut a frustrated figure as he laboured to an eight-over-par 79, McIlroy struggled to a 78 while DeChambeau hit a 76, despite holing a 55ft for an eagle on the 16th.
