For those who grew up watching Tiger Woods dominate golf, meeting him for the first time is bound to be an overwhelming experience. This was true even for Bryson DeChambeau, a 2-time US Open winner. Despite now being on different teams, DeChambeau and Woods once played together frequently. In 2021, DeChambeau shared details of his first encounter with the 15-time major champion during an appearance on the Full Send Podcast.
DeChambeau has always regarded Woods as one of his biggest inspirations, even jokingly referring to him as his “dad.” Nevertheless, meeting Woods for the first time in 2018 at Torrey Pines was a nerve-wracking experience for the golfer. Recalling the moment, DeChambeau admitted, “That’s probably the most nervous I’ve been on the golf course in my entire life. More nervous than the Ryder Cup, more nervous than the Long Drive thing [Championship].” He described it as the “coolest and most nerve-wracking” moment of his life.
Prior to meeting Woods, DeChambeau had been texting him, but their first in-person interaction occurred when Woods shook his hand and invited him to join him at Torrey Pines. Although they had been in contact, DeChambeau recounted how stoic Woods appeared, saying, “He’d just look at you, walk right past you like you were nothing.” Despite this seemingly cold first impression, DeChambeau was still in awe of Woods’ presence.
As they played, DeChambeau felt uncertain about what to say to his idol, but after a few holes, they began discussing putting techniques. This sparked a deeper connection between them. DeChambeau soon realized that Woods shared his intellectual approach to the game. “He’s a nerd as well. Complete nerd. And I love it. It’s super awesome,” DeChambeau said, noting how well they bonded over their shared passion for the technical aspects of golf.
Their friendship blossomed after that initial meeting, but things changed in 2022 when DeChambeau left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. The two stopped communicating, with Woods no longer responding to DeChambeau’s messages, even when DeChambeau wished him a happy birthday. However, after DeChambeau won the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No. 2, Woods reached out to congratulate him, marking their first contact in years.
Although Woods finished 5-over at the tournament and DeChambeau edged out Rory McIlroy by one stroke, Woods still came forward to acknowledge DeChambeau’s victory. While DeChambeau didn’t disclose the full details of their conversation, he expressed his respect for Woods. He noted that Woods’ congratulatory message was a significant gesture, especially after two years of silence, and said he appreciated it.
This interaction between Woods and DeChambeau marked a step towards mending their relationship, despite the ongoing tensions surrounding the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. It appears that the two golfers have moved past the earlier conflict, with no lingering hard feelings between them.
Leave a Reply