Brooks Koepka paid tribute to his former rival.
Shortly after Bryson DeChambeau won his second U.S. Open title at Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday, Koepka posted a message of support to the newly reigning two-time major champion on social media.
“Welcome two-time @usopengolf champion @b_dechambeau to the club,” Koepka wrote on X, alongside an old photo of the golfers embracing each other.
The 34-year-old Koepka won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 2017 and 2018.
The 30-year-old DeChambeau won his first tournament of 2020.
Koepka and DeChambeau, who both play on the LIV golf circuit, have come a long way since their rivalry years ago.
In a 2019 podcast interview, Koepka lamented DeChambeau’s slow pace.
“I can’t comprehend how it takes a minute and 20 seconds, a minute and 15 seconds, to hit a golf ball. It’s not that hard.” “I think it’s a bit of a stretch,” Koepka told Michael Weston on the Golf Monthly podcast..
DeChambeau He then criticized Koepka’s physique. During a 2020 Twitch stream, he suggested he wasn’t impressed with Koepka’s 2019 ESPN Body Issue photoshoot.
“To be honest with you, I don’t know if his genes make him look good… I mean, he didn’t have abs during the body issue, that’s for sure,” DeChambeau said. “I have abs.”
In response, Koepka posted a photo of X’s four major trophies (two of which were from winning the PGA Championship in 2018 and 2019) and wrote, “You’re right @b_dechambeau. I’m two away from a six pack!”
Tensions reached a peak at the 2021 PGA Championship, with Koepka’s dumbfounded attitude etched in modern history.
During an interview with Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, Koepka was interrupted mid-interview by the clicking of DeChambeau’s metal cleats and rolled his eyes.
“Sometimes I hear that shit and it makes me lose my train of thought,” Koepka said, according to footage of the exchange posted on social media. “Oh my god.”
The golfing stars were paired together during the third round of the 2023 PGA Championship, which Koepka won, and appeared extremely friendly.
That same year, Koepka posted a cozy photo of the pair on Instagram, with DeChambeau having his arm around the five-time major winner’s shoulder.
DeChambeau was cheered on by Koepka and fans on his way to a 6-under-par victory over Rory McIlroy on Sunday in North Carolina.
“Tonight I want all of you to touch this trophy, I want you to experience what this feels like for me. You’ve been part of this journey this week and I want you to be a part of it at the after-party,” he said after his win, according to the Associated Press.
DeChambeau entered the U.S. Open after finishing second at the PGA Championship and sixth at the 2024 Masters.
