So now we have Brooks (Koepka) versus Bryson (DeChambeau) today, the day after Thanksgiving in a strange format — just 12 holes at the Wynn Resort course in Las Vegas.
We had some “fake hype” this week — but don’t believe it. It’s almost laughable.
Once again it’s Koepka turning up the Bunsen Burner on long-ball loving DeChambeau.
Let’s get down to some hard facts.
First, Brooks Koepka isn’t very well liked on the PGA Tour. Ever since he bad-mouthed the Ryder Cup, it showed that Brooks is basically, well, all about Brooks. He’s surly, his interviews stink with that nasal monotone of his and there’s never much substance. At least not until Brooksie sat by his pool at home and proclaimed to Golf Digest last summer that he’d probably win more majors than Tiger Woods and had a chance to equal or pass Jack Nicklaus.
Note to everyone: Brooks thinks very highly of himself.
So this week, Brooks was firing shots at Bryson starting with this gem: “Playing 12 holes is nice, I mean it’s better than playing 18 holes with Bryson. Anything to spend less time with him I’m happy to do.”
Note to everyone: Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker drafted Daniel Berger to play with Koepka, because, well, no one else really wanted to.
Then you have Brooks throwing out that he’d like to get Bryson about seven down and walk off with five holes to play. “There’s nothing more I would love than to walk away after seven holes<” Koepka said, adding to the fake hype.
Truth of it is, until Brooks and Bryson go head-to-head on the final day of a major — well — where is the “rivalry?”
Koepka admitted to it. “I wouldn’t say it’s that big of a rivalry,” Koepka told Phil Mickelson, who will provide commentary today on TBS and TNT. “I mean when you’ve got four-to-one (majors) and the one (Bryson’s) was during COVID and I didn’t play? So, I don’t know how big of a rivalry that could be. When you win a major and I’m there then it might be more credible.”
So the big question that remains is: Will there be an “trash-talking” during actual play today?
“I can say anything to him and not feel bad about ruining the guy’s round or anything like that,” Koepka boasted.
So this one has implied promises, implied hype.
Perhaps the only guarantee is that Mickelson and Charles Barkley will be more entertaining that Koepka and DeChambeau.
In wrestling terms, well, it’s obvious — Koepka’s the heel (bad guy) and Bryson’s the face (good guy).
On Television and Streaming:
Time: 4 p.m. (ET).
Where: TNT, TBS, truTV, HLM
Stream: TNTDrama.com; TNT app.
4 Comments
baxter cepeda
As you know I’ve been critical of Brooksies lip but the guy is just hyping up the show like a boxer.
We all know the hate nor the love is big between these two.
But I’m ok with the lines brooks is using for this week; predictable really.
I think Bryson gets what brooks is doing more now which is important. It’s gonna be a fun match can’t wait to get home and fire up the ol dvr. Their dynamic alone is worth the price.
I don’t get this 12 holes thing either. I’m just gonna pretend they are even/tied thru 6.
Tom Edrington
‘Twas ugly, glad I recorded it!
baxter cepeda
Per usual they tried some things that didn’t work but I always like these things.
The announcers being on the players ear during play thing was driving me crazy not knowing if the players could or could not hear. Then we would know they were in Bryson’s ear while putting; because he would passive aggressive let them know.
Then the announcer says ok let’s talk in brooks ear also so it’s fair and no one says anything suddenly.
Also the carts, yes they are cool carts, and probably pay some of the bills, but they are an interaction killers. I get it’s pretty tough for these weight lifter golfers these days to walk very much but it’s 12 holes. It’s pro golf. We are looking for interaction. Make them walk.
I think both players tried to make it fun and needly with the time they had. But it just wasn’t enough time as they were zooming around that place in light speed.
There was talk talk about of cutting into precious law and order time but in the end the 12 hole match play ended 30 minutes early.
It could have been longer…if Phil could just stop talking to let Bryson hit some shots… it that seems easier said then done.
Overall I enjoyed it —the course and many other little things— but they need to clean some things up still; including already having another event lined up to plug during this coverage. Despite its issues, I wanna know when the next one is already.
I enjoy them even when they are not that good.
Tom Edrington
Giving our take on Monday