Forgive me if I'm not convinced just yet of Bryson DeChambeau's newfound humility

Humility and respect aren't necessarily the first words that spring to mind when talking about Bryson DeChambeau.

Yet they were used by the man himself on Sunday evening when the American, 33, released a 289-word statement confirming his departure from LIV Golf.

DeChambeau's apparent farewell was, for the most part, a load of waffle.

It contained most of the familiar pleasantries we've come to expect from LIV players who, having spent the best part of four years selling LIV Golf, now appear rather less enthusiastic about the proposition since the PIF turned off the spigot.

The golfer thanked his supporters, LIV staff, caddies, operations crews and everyone behind the scenes who had helped make the project possible.

There was, of course, the familiar platitude about "growing the game".

Somebody please make it stop.

Perhaps the most striking part, though, was his admission that he appears to regret some of his actions. 

"Arnold Palmer said no player is bigger than the game, and I want to acknowledge that, along the way, I've said some things that didn't help," said DeChambeau.

He was presumably referring, among other things, to his bizarre pizza shop analogy in August 2022, when he attempted to justify LIV players' suspensions from the PGA Tour by comparing the situation to a rival pizza parlour opening up and the original establishment banning customers for visiting it.

Sorrywhatpardon?

There was also his repeated criticism of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), which declined to immediately award LIV accreditation primarily for the simple reason that its tournaments did not meet the organisation's existing eligibility criteria.

DeChambeau accused the OWGR of "delaying the inevitable", suggested it was trying to manipulate the rankings and, in April 2023, warned that the system risked becoming "obsolete".

It wasn't lost on me that DeChambeau's criticism of the OWGR dissipated after he won his second US Open title in June 2024, thus ensuring his spot in all four men's majors for the remainder of the prime of his career.

For a man now keen to stress the importance of humility and respect, there is quite a back catalogue to acknowledge.

"Whatever comes next, I'll approach it with humility and respect for the people who carried this game long before me," DeChambeau continued in his statement.

I do hope that DeChambeau means it and that his words aren't simply a PR move designed to curry favour with the PGA Tour.

He's certainly entitled to a fresh start, just as anyone is. 

But humility and respect are qualities demonstrated through actions, not simply declared in a carefully worded statement.

Given his previous record, he'll have to do a little more than say the right things to convince me.

So, what next for the content king?

His most immediate option is the DP World Tour. 

DeChambeau has until November 16 to take up membership for the 2027 season, having been offered full playing privileges following his 2024 US Open victory. 

A successful season in Europe could even provide a route back to the PGA Tour, although that would be far from guaranteed. 

Patrick Reed has demonstrated that strong performances on the DP World Tour can earn a PGA Tour card, but the pathway is becoming increasingly competitive.

Returning directly to the PGA Tour is another possibility, although DeChambeau previously turned down missed the "one-time" returning member programme window offered earlier this year. 

It appears he would now face the Tour's disciplinary requirements, including a reported one-year suspension from his final LIV appearance.

Alternatively, he could concentrate on the four majors, where his existing exemptions give him considerable security, while continuing to build his hugely successful YouTube channel.

At 33, though, it would be surprising if he were content with that alone.

The ball is very much in DeChambeau's court. 

Whether he chooses Europe, pursues a return to America or finds another way forward, his next move will say considerably more about his humility and respect than Sunday's statement ever could.