Rory McIlroy’s ex-agent fires warning to Bryson DeChambeau: “He looks lost”

Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler believes Bryson DeChambeau is at a crossroads in his career after the LIV Golf superstar endured a nightmare start to the 2026 major season with back-to-back missed cuts.

DeChambeau's missed cut at the PGA Championship two weeks ago at Aronimink marked the first time he has gone MC-MC in the majors since 2017. 

Former European Tour professional Chandler, who was once the agent of Rory McIlroy, has not held back in his assessment of DeChambeau’s current situation.

Chandler has not only questioned his recent major form, but also hit out at his comments about possibly becoming a YouTube golfer should LIV fail to survive beyond this season.

“I think he looks lost," Chandler told CanadaCasino. 

"To turn around and say he's going to become a YouTube golfer, what's all that about?

"To come from where he was to where he's going to be isn't good.

"He's missed the cut at The Masters, he's missed the cut at the PGA Championship by a long way. It's affecting his own image.

"Golfers don't really want to have to follow YouTube golf.

"I think there are big decisions for him to make.”

Chandler’s remarks come after DeChambeau admitted last week he is currently “in a weird space” as uncertainty continues to grow around LIV Golf’s long-term future.

The two-time U.S. Open champion missed the cut at both The Masters in April and PGA Championship earlier this month, raising fresh questions about whether the ongoing uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf is beginning to impact his performances in the majors.

DeChambeau recently admitted he would potentially focus on YouTube content creation and only play the four men’s majors should LIV Golf collapse after 2026.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed last month that it will withdraw its multibillion-dollar backing of LIV Golf following the 2026 season, despite DeChambeau claiming he had previously been assured funding would continue until at least 2032.

To compound the situation further, DeChambeau's contract comes to an end on LIV Golf this summer. 

Chandler’s concerns have also been echoed by NBC and Golf Channel broadcaster Smylie Kaufman, who has urged DeChambeau not to walk away from elite competition.

Former PGA Tour winner Kaufman believes DeChambeau still has far too much to offer professional golf and encouraged him to pursue a legacy similar to his idol Ben Hogan.

"This was a guy who was his idol, if he would have read books about Ben Hogan, he would have known that Ben Hogan was the toughest SOB in the world, and his comeback story was one of the best we've ever seen," Kaufman told the latest edition of his podcast.

"I wouldn't say the comeback story from YouTube golf to professional golf is quite the same as getting in a car accident like Ben Hogan did, but I still feel like Bryson has a lot to offer this game from the professional side.

"I wouldn't want to see him go to the YouTube game full-time. I'd like to see him playing, if it's on the LIV tour, great, that's fine.

"I just don't want to see him go full YouTube, because I do think from an overall professional standpoint in the game of golf, he'll drop if he just wants to chase that.

"He will not be a top player in the world if he just wants to do that. And I don't want to see that."

Despite his recent struggles in the majors, DeChambeau has still enjoyed success on LIV Golf this season with victories in Singapore and South Africa.

He also made a fast start at LIV Golf Korea today after carding an opening round of five-under-65 to share the lead alongside Crushers GC teammate Charles Howell III.

Speaking earlier this month, DeChambeau insisted he remains fully committed to helping LIV Golf survive despite the uncertainty surrounding the league.

"I'm very optimistic with the business plan of team golf compared to other models, in my opinion," he said.

"But again, other models have worked, as well, so I'm not going to say that one is better than the other, but I do see value in what team golf can provide not only worldwide but also in grass rooting the game of golf.

"National support, team national support, city local support, we grass root ourselves there. There's a couple ideas that we have -- quite a few ideas that we have that could be interesting. We'll see if investors like it or not. I'm giving all I can to make it happen, and if it doesn't, it doesn't happen."

DeChambeau also admitted the uncertainty around LIV Golf’s future has created additional pressure during the majors.

"In the background, yeah, we're trying to help where we can, but ultimately it's up to executives and everybody banding together. If we all band together, there's an opportunity here. If not, it's going to be a different day for all of us."

Should DeChambeau leave LIV Golf this season, there is of course potentially another option on the table in that he heads back to the PGA Tour. 

All LIV players who remain members of the PGA Tour are currently suspended until further notice.