'It Validates Everything We've Said': Bryson DeChambeau Proud of LIV Golf's Showing at the PGA

The 2020 U.S. Open champion tied for fourth at Oak Hill as players from the Saudi-backed Tour took three of the top 11 spots including winner Brooks Koepka.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bryson DeChambeau was understandably buoyed by his performance at the PGA Championship. He didn’t win, but he was the first-round leader. And his tie for fourth was his best in a major championship since he won the 2020 U.S. Open.

Much like winner Brooks Koepka, DeChambeau battled his share of injuries in the past year.

And he saw the result as a validation of not only his own work, but that of LIV Golf, which again saw a strong showing in a major championship, with three players finishing among the top 11.

At the Masters, Koepka and Phil Mickelson tied for second, with Patrick Reed finishing tied for fourth.

"It validates everything we’ve said from the beginning," DeChambeau said after a final-round 70 saw him finish six shots back of Koepka. "We’re competing at the highest level. And we have the ability to win major championships.

"I really hope people can see the light now that we’re trying to provide golf something new and fresh. At the end of the day, both sides are going to have to come together at some point. It’s for the good of the game."

DeChambeau didn’t offer any solutions. LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are still involved in litigation. And there is still plenty of animosity on both sides.

But the players, for the most part, have seemingly put their differences aside at the majors, and acknowledged that high-level golfers exist as part of LIV Golf.

In addition to Koepka and DeChambeau, British Open champion Cam Smith matched the low round of the day with a 65 to tie for ninth. Mito Pereira and Reed tied for 20th, giving LIV five players in the top 22.

In addition, Koepka moved to 13th in the world and second in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings.

"We’ve got a lot of great players out there," said DeChambeau, who is among 11 LIV players currently qualified for the U.S. Open next month; Sunday was a cutoff for the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking. At least a dozen LIV players are expected to participate in 36-hole final qualifying.

"I definitely think it helps LIV, but I'm more interested in my own self right now, to be honest with you," Koepka said. "Yeah, it's a huge thing for LIV, but at the same time I'm out here competing as an individual at the PGA Championship. I'm just happy to take this home for the third time."