LIV GOLF KOREA

May 2, 2025

Bryson DeChambeau

Jack Nicklaus Golf Club

Crushers GC

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Let's welcome Bryson DeChambeau, captain of Crushers GC.

Bryson, well played today. You're currently tied for the lead with a score of 7-under par 65 in the first round here at LIV Golf Korea presented by Coupang Play. Can you talk us through today. What stood out for you?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I played well. Coming from Mexico to Korea, coming from 9,000 feet all the way to sea level was a unique test for me. I curve the ball a lot, so at elevation it was nice for the ball to fly a lot straighter. Here it's curving a lot. So controlling my curvature, plotting myself around this golf course nicely.

Had a couple unlucky breaks but got lucky on 15, so it kind of washed out. And I putted really well today. I was proud of the way I putted and handled myself after missing two easy putts on the first two holes.

Q. Bryson, you come in off a podium finish last week. You seem to be carrying that form into this week. How do you adapt to the changes in conditions? You talked about the elevation, also the time zone difference between Mexico and here in Korea.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I think the key is on the practice range getting our numbers dialed in, seeing how much the ball is actually curving on the driving range, getting comfortable with that.

Then it's a great test of golf, Jack Nicklaus golf course. It's fun. It's pretty generous off the tee. You have to be really good on your second shots and make a lot of curlers for your birdies.

For me, it was more about getting comfortable with the greens, comfortable with how the ball flew, how far it flew, and then the curvature, like how much the ball is curving in the air.

Then when it's not worth it to go for a certain flag, just kind of staying away from it. So really playing strategic golf out here.

Q. I know you were just out there signing autographs for fans. Can you just talk us through what that's like, that fan reception? You go from one city to another, and any idea how many signatures you've signed this last couple of weeks?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: It's got to be upwards of a couple thousand now for sure, but it's great. The Korean fans out here have been fantastic. Nothing but super sweet and nice.

It's definitely appreciated when I come to a new place for the first time and see the amount of fans wanting an autograph, kids lighting up. That's what makes my day. It's certainly awesome, and that's why I play the game of golf.

Q. I have two questions for you. First of all, I know that there was a lot of spotlight that was given with your game versus Rory during the U.S. Open and Masters. I was wondering how the atmosphere is different for a majors game versus a LIV tournament.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: In regards to that, I feel like this is sometimes a little bit more amplified in certain scenarios. It's very similar, which makes me comfortable actually in major championship settings.

I think every event is a little more elevated in regards to the noise level and the hustle bustleness. So when you go play a major, like even the Masters or the U.S. Open, you're going to see some rowdiness out there. They want to see competitiveness and fire. They're going to be cheering you on.

So I feel like it's very good prep going into these majors. It's definitely been helpful the past couple years for me. I've been playing a lot better in them.

Q. The second question was you also maybe dieted and still are a long hitter, your drive range. They just wanted to know your secret. How is your regimen?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I can't give that secret away. No, I'm kidding.

For me, when I bulked up and got big, a lot of that wasn't necessarily muscle, it was a lot of inflammation I was giving to my body. Actually, I feel like I'm almost just as strong, if not stronger now, and when I go at it, I can get the 200 mile an hour ball speed very easily right now. So I haven't really lost it.

I've kept it just because I hit golf balls every day and I speed train every once in a while. It wasn't really more the diet rather than speed training, hitting 100 balls three times a week as fast as I can with the driver, and just keep pushing the limits with a Foresight monitor telling me how fast I was hitting it.

Q. I really remember how you were high fiving your fans during the Masters when you were going from hole to hole, which is a very stark difference with Rory, who doesn't even make eye contact with his fans during those high pressure games. I was wondering whether there's like a philosophy underneath that, why you do that for the fans.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I can only speak for myself. I can't speak for Rory. What I can say about myself is that I genuinely care about the game of golf and growing it globally and inspiring a bunch of people and kids, especially kids, to play this great game.

So it's my duty, as not only a professional golfer, but a bit of an entertainer, to interact and be as authentic as I possibly can be with myself and with my fans. I think it's my responsibility to do so. I'll continue to keep doing that because that's what I believe in.

Q. This is more of a maybe joke or a light question. It's not very serious. You're probably one of the players that have the biggest fan base in the LIV Golf Tour. Compared to maybe Adelaide, I don't think the fans were maybe as enthusiastic. Do you have anything you want to say to the fans or maybe any strategies you had in your mind to bring more enthusiasm out?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Out to here is what you mean?

Q. To the field in Incheon.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I think, when the weekend comes and certain moments happen, I think there's going to be moments where I'm going to be riling up the crowd. If I hit it close, it's a big shot to stay in the lead or take a few shot lead, I think that's when I can start getting the crowd going.

I'll be doing it. It's just going to take a little bit of time. It's got to develop a little bit. Yeah, I'm excited for this weekend. It's going to be a fun battle.