‘The mafia has arrived’: Bryson DeChambeau hits out at reporters ahead of LIV Golf finale

Bryson DeChambeau has made his feelings towards the media abundantly clear after appearing to take a swipe at a group of reporters ahead of LIV Golf Indianapolis.

According to GOLF senior writer Sean Zak, the Crushers GC captain spotted three reporters, including Zak himself, as he arrived at the driving range for a practice session.

DeChambeau then appeared to jokingly confront the group, saying: "Oooh the mafia has arrived. The mafia. You guys love talking s**t."

Zak later suggested there was more to the exchange than simply a joke, claiming DeChambeau remains frustrated by the way he has been quoted and his comments have been contextualised in recent months.

Exactly what DeChambeau was referring to with his remark remains unclear, but the timing is certainly intriguing given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil recently announced the league has secured a preliminary agreement with a lead investor to help keep the competition running beyond the 2026 season, following the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financial backing.

BC Partners has been widely linked with the reported investment, while DeChambeau is understood to have played a key role in discussions surrounding LIV's future.

The 32-year-old has previously indicated he intends to remain with LIV Golf if the league continues into 2027, although he has also suggested he would be comfortable focusing on YouTube Golf around the four majors if circumstances required it.

There have also been reports of player concerns on LIV Golf, with several names confirming they have still not been paid from the last event at Bedminster. 

Jon Rahm's future has become another major talking point, with reports suggesting the Legion XIII captain could potentially depart following the season. 

Rahm is also understood to still be owed a substantial sum from the agreement he signed in 2023.

Against that backdrop, LIV Golf Indianapolis represents a significant week for DeChambeau and the league.

The event at The Club at Chatham Hills is the final tournament of the season after next week's Aramco LIV Golf Michigan was cancelled. 

The individual purse has also been reduced to $10.1 million, with the winner receiving $2.02 million — half the $4 million first prize that has traditionally been available at LIV's $20 million individual events.

However, on the flip side there remains $40.1 million in total prize money and bonuses available this week, including $10 million for the season-long individual championship and $30 million for the Team Championship.

DeChambeau cannot overhaul Rahm in the individual standings, with the Spaniard already crowned champion for a third consecutive season, but he can secure second place.

He will also be hoping to lead Crushers GC to another Team Championship victory after previously doing so in 2023.

DeChambeau has meanwhile spoken ambitiously about the future, revealing that his “ultimate goal” would be for every LIV team to have its own course and stadium.

He has also expressed a desire to return to PGA Tour events while remaining on LIV Golf, although PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has said there have been no discussions between the tours about such an arrangement.

For now, though, DeChambeau's immediate focus is Indianapolis.

And after his latest exchange with the media, it is clear he is not short of opinions about the coverage surrounding LIV Golf — or his own future within it.