Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka: How an internet meme helps fuel sports’ biggest rivalry
DeChambeau and Koepka will compete on 12 holes at Wynn Golf Course, Las Vegas, with proceeds from the event going to charity.
It’s a rivalry that’s been brewed for more than two years, and it all started with a controversy over slow play, and Koepka’s criticisms of DeChambeau’s meticulous approach.
Koepka’s topless phase in ESPN’s Body Issue in 2019 also proves a moment of friction between the two American golfers.
However, in order to win a Major at the time, DeChambeau commented on Koepka’s physique, saying on a Fortnite Twitch stream: “During the Body Issue, he didn’t have any abs. I had a bit of muscle. belly.”
Koepka responded with a photo of his four major titles – two from the US Open and two from the PGA Championship – with the caption, “You’re right @b_dechambeau I’m 2 pack versus 6 pack!”
Fuel was added to the fire by NFL superstar and seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady.
The 43-year-old defender mocked DeChambeau when he announced they were both joining ‘The Match III’ – alongside Phil Mickelson and Aaron Rodgers – with a series of memes targeting the 2020 US Open winner. DeChambeau’s first and only major win to date.
Fans also dragged DeChambeau at the Memorial Tournament, shouting “Brooksie” as he walked past and was kicked out of the event as a result.
In response, Koepka posted a video offering free beer to any spectator kicked out of the Memorial Tournament for DeChambeau lust.
While the pair appeared to have buried the rooster tightly during Team America’s press conference after winning the 43rd Ryder Cup in September, that hasn’t stopped the trolling between the pair.
DeChambeau mocked Koepka’s poor form on The Match, posting a photo of his face – the one used as a meme template earlier in the year – superimposed with his final two results, in which he missed the cut both times.
And during their pre-match press conference, sparks continued to fly between the two.
Koepka questioned how big the rivalry between the two players was, saying: “Playing 12 holes is good. I mean, it’s better than playing 18 holes with Bryson. So anything to spend less time with him.”
Earlier this year, the PGA Tour introduced its Player Impact Program, a program that seeks to reward the 10 players who attract the most fans and participate in sponsorship, regardless of their results in the competition. course, through a total of 40 million dollars.
DeChambeau said: “He went out and tried to incite the crowd and there was no man to talk to me. “I guess you could say he was trying to get through and use social media like a platform, to mess with me and no, we’ll settle on the golf course.”
Now that they are both big winners and Ryder Cup winning teammates, it will be a fascinating TV show to see how fair the two teams are to each other.
Earlier this year, the PGA Tour introduced its Player Impact Program, a program that seeks to reward the 10 players who attract the most fans and participate in sponsorship, regardless of their results in the competition. course, through a total of 40 million dollars.
The clash between the two US golfers will also raise funds for the Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour and Feeding America, as well as DeChambeau’s donation to Shriner Hospital and Koepka to St. Jude.
TNT will exclusively broadcast the event, although coverage of the event will be broadcast on TBS, truTV and HLN.
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