YouTube golf star Brad Dalke snaps back after receiving criticism for "I don't need to grind" comment

YouTube golf star Brad Dalke is turning heads at this week's BMW International Open in Germany. 

The American, who was a highly-rated amateur and battled the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa during his college days, is playing the DP World Tour event on a sponsor's invite. 

Dalke told reporters before the event began that he didn't really have any expectations and likely thought to himself making the cut was a victory in and of itself. 

But after 36 holes, the 28-year-old is only two shots off the lead on nine-under. 

Speaking to reporters after his round, Dalke spoke at length on a number of topics. He also explained that he doesn't want to grind through the mini tours to become an established pro. 

"That's not what I want to do," he said. "But if I were to play well at an event like this and somehow build off that - if I got a tour card, that would be awesome. I'd play 100 per cent."

Unsurprisingly, there were a few X users who labelled Dalke "arrogant". 

"Being quoted as 'I don't have to grind through tours' as if he's somehow above every golfer on the planet that wanted to rise to a level of success in the game makes me root against this arrogant and entitled 'content creator,'" one wrote. 

But Dalke later clarified:

Who is Brad Dalke?

Dalke is one of the best-known creators in YouTube golf. 

He had a very good amateur career, playing for the University of Oklahoma and helping the team win the 2017 NCAA Division I Men's Championship. 

Dalke has also played in The Masters and U.S. Open as an amateur. 

Things didn't go to plan for Dalke after he turned professional in 2019. Like many others, he battled the driver yips. 

Dalke previously explained that he turned to alcohol to cope and ultimately gave up on pro golf, instead shifting his attention to content creation. 

Last year, Dalke won the PGA Tour's Creator Classic at East Lake and was part of the winning team at the inaugural Internet Invitational. 

“YouTube has been great the last few years,” he said. “I’m at this point now where, you know, I’m doing well enough on YouTube, I don’t need to go grind through PGA Tour Americas or Korn Ferry Tour.

“That’s not what I want to do, because there’s not a whole lot of money in that, and it’s very stressful and a lot of travel. I’m in a good spot with YouTube, so I’m not going to grind my way up.

Dalke was also a member of Good Good Golf but announced last week he was leaving the group to spend more time with his wife Abbie.

Abbie suffered an ocular stroke last December and doctors later discovered she had a hole in her heart. 

Dalke said he believes they have gotten through the tough part but he wanted to spend less time on the road.