Bryson DeChambeau warned over ‘dumb’ career move by ex-Ryder Cup captain

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley says it would be "a dumb move" for Bryson DeChambeau not to take up the DP World Tour's membership offer and solely concentrate on being a YouTube golfer and playing in the major championships. 

DeChambeau's competitive future in 2027 is uncertain following the collapse of the LIV Golf League. 

The 33-year-old American may have to wait at least until next August until he could return to the PGA Tour per current rules but in the meantime has the option to apply for membership on the European tour based on his status as a recent major champion. 

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy told reporters before the DP World Tour's season finale in Dubai that he wouldn't want to be in DeChambeau's position but if the two-time U.S. Open champion wants to play competitive golf then he is "running out of options". 

McGinley was asked on the most recent edition of the Sky Sports Golf podcast whether he could foresee a scenario whereby DeChambeau simply decides to concentrate on creating content for his hugely popular YouTube channel whilst attempting to remain competitive in the men's four majors. 

"I can see it," he said. "It will be a dumb move. I mean, to go from playing YouTube golf to trying to compete in majors. 

"What you're finding with these guys who went to LIV is the first couple of years they went to LIV, they were pretty competitive when it came to playing major championships. 

"You know, they still had that 72 holes in their system of being players on tour for a large number of years.

"But the longer they stayed on LIV, the more disconnected they got from the top of the leaderboards in these major championships."

McGinley acknowledged that Brooks Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill and DeChambeau pipped McIlroy to the 2024 U.S. Open in dramatic fashion at Pinehurst. 

"But, you know, you look at a player, the quality of Jon Ram. Remember who good Jonn Ram was," he added.

"When he went to LIV [it was the] end of 23. 

"He was the best player that we had in Italy in the Ryder Cup. He was the current Masters champion and he was the world number one.

"And he went from that position to becoming a non-event when it comes to major championships. 

"So it was not a good platform to prepare for major championships."

McGinley, who tore into his former Ryder Cup teammates last month for showing "no gratitude" towards the DP World Tour when they bolted, added: "The reason they went to LIV quite clearly was because of money. 

"I gave this example before, if you took money out of the equation, right, if the money was the same on LIV as it was the same on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and you said to each player, okay, which platform is going to give you the best opportunity to win major championships? None of them would pick LIV. 

"The reason they picked LIV and went on LIV was purely for financial reasons. 

"It was not the ideal platform to prepare to win major championships."

DeChambeau broke his silence on his future plans last Sunday, but the golfer stopped short of declaring what he will do next season. 

He promised to approach his next move with "humility and respect". 

McGinley added:  "The longer Bryson stays away and off traditional platforms, the less chance he has of winning major championships going forward, because you cut your teeth in week to week PGA, DP World Tour events before you elevate into these major championships. 

"And if you're cutting your teeth, playing fun golf and LIV golf, it's a massive step up to then try and compete at the very, very top against the best players in the world it's just not going to happen. It's not going to happen. 

"You're training and preparation to win major championships at such a low level that you cannot step up in that way. 

"So if he does it, I think it would be pretty much close the door on winning major championships during that period of time. 

"I think if he comes back and plays a DP World Tour or a PGA Tour in the years to come, well, yeah, I think he could become a factor again, winning majors, but not from LIV or not LIV 2.0, 3.0. In fact, not even from YouTube golf."

DeChambeau has until 15 November to apply for DP World Tour membership.