Bryson DeChambeau calls for fractured game to come back together after White House trip

Bryson DeChambeau says he 'definitely' saw eye to eye with Rory McIlroy on the set of Happy Gilmore 2. 

The golfer made spoke about his relationship with the Masters champion after he made a surprise trip to the White House yesterday. 

DeChambeau was in the US Capitol because Donald Trump signed an executive order to bring back the presidential fitness test. 

The test, which assessed physical performance inside school gyms across the country for decades, was cancelled under Barack Obama's administration.

DeChambeau has been named the chairman of the newly reconstituted council and will work alongside other high-profile athletes such as Triple H, Annika Sorenstam, Harrison Butker and Saquon Barkley. 

The two-time major champion told Fox News he couldn't be more excited over his new role. 

"It's one of the most important things that I could see in my lifetime outside of golf is helping out our American youth," he said. 

"And re-establishing those guidelines and commitment to making, I would say, our nation a lot healthier and fitter. 

"[Our] obesity rate is through the roof nowadays and we want to set the stage in a different tone, higher modernised standards that allow us to implement a healthier future of America."

DeChambeau was also asked about the current state of men's professional golf. 

He was one of the first players to be recruited by LIV Golf in June 2022, joining major champions such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith and Bubba Watson on the PIF-backed league. 

They were all indefinitely banned by the PGA Tour. 

Relationships were soured further as DeChambeau was among 11 LIV players to sue the Tour. 

However, on 6 June 2023, the PGA Tour announced a vague framework agreement with the financiers of LIV. 

The announcement also ended all litigation. 

It was understood the agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia would end the split at the top of the men's game. 

The very best players in the world have only shared the stage together at the four major championships since LIV's launch. 

Just this week, former Masters champion Adam Scott revealed talks between the two parties are effectively over and it is unlikely an agreement will ever be reached. 

The PGA Tour have recently named Brian Rolapp as their new chief executive and it is understood the North American circuit do not see a future in team golf. 

"Look, I think in a fractured sport as it currently exists, there is an opportunity to come back together in some capacity," DeChambeau said. "Whether it's a merger or something else, a joint venture, I don't know.

"But as it exists right now, there is a massive opportunity to grow the game of golf globally and that's what I'm focused on. 

"That's what I think a lot of the top executives in both sides of the coin are focused on. We just need to find a way to do it amicably in a way that makes sense for both sides of the coin.

Bryson DeChambeau makes Rory McIlroy claim

DeChambeau was among a who's who of current and former professional golfers to make an appearance in the recently released Happy Gilmore 2. 

The sequel to the 1996 comedy, featuring Adam Sandler, was a massive hit. 

According to Variety, 46.7 million viewers streamed the movie in the first three days. 

DeChambeau made an appearance alongside Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Will Zalatoris, Keegan Bradley and Nelly Korda. 

Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino and Fred Couples also featured. 

"I didn't realise how hard actors work and it was awesome," DeChambeau said. 

"It was nine days of a lot of hard work and early mornings waking up at sunrise, not getting off until sunset.

"But I've got to tell you, Adam is a great guy and an awesome director and an awesome person, more importantly."

The aforementioned McIlroy was once a harsh critic of LIV and led the charge against the breakaway as the unofficial spokesman of the PGA Tour. 

DeChambeau previously revealed McIlroy gave him the cold shoulder during the final round of the 2025 Masters but the two clicked on the set. 

McIlroy was taken aback by the 6 June framework agreement, but has since implored both sides to make a deal. 

"Rory's nice words makes a lot of sense," DeChambeau said. "And I'm a part of growing the game.

"So that's what I care about most. I think there is an opportunity, like Rory said, to bring this fractured game back together."