Why Bryson DeChambeau didn't attend recent U.S. Ryder Cup team dinner

Bryson DeChambeau was forced to miss a recent Ryder Cup dinner for Team USA. 

Captain Keegan Bradley decided to gather potential team members in Philadephia last week ahead of the Truist Championship. 

DeChambeau and fellow LIV Golf recruit Brooks Koepka were invited but unfortunately the reigning U.S. Open champion couldn't make it. 

His flight was delayed more than three hours as he made his way back from LIV's stop in Korea - which he won - so he had to watch the dinner via Zoom. 

DeChambeau told reporters before the PGA Championship that he also had a lengthy conversation with Bradley. 

The 31-year-old is hopeful that he won't need to rely on a captain's pick to make his third appearance wearing the red, white and blue. 

He is currently fifth in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings behind Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler. 

"I've got to keep playing good golf and I've got to hopefully -- hopefully I can make it on points alone," DeChambeau said.  

"That's the goal. From everything I heard, it was pretty inspirational, and I know the captain is going to be a great leader for the team, whoever he chooses and whoever makes the team. 

"He's going to do a great job at Bethpage."

Keegan Bradley doubles down 

The aforementioned Bradley is also in the field this week in North Carolina. 

He still harbours hopes that he too can qualify for the team on merit. 

Bradley has ruled out picking himself. 

Vice captain Brandt Snedeker previously outlined what would happen should Bradley make the team. 

Bradley, 38, told media before the second men's major of the year he simply does not care which tours American professional golfers ply their trade. 

In other words, DeChambeau, Koepka or Patrick 'Captain America' Reed could be in line for a pick. 

"No one cares about what's going on inside this PGA Tour-LIV," Bradley said. 

“We're trying to put the best team together.

"It could mean there's one LIV guy, two LIV guys, it doesn’t matter. 

"We'll see how this year shakes out. It was really great to have them together with all the guys. It's been a while since we've been able to do that."

One criticism lobbed at LIV is that it's difficult to ascertain the form of players from the breakaway tour. 

Jon Rahm has been a top-10 machine since he jumped ship in December 2023 but has produced mixed results in the majors ever since. 

DeChambeau and Koepka both won majors since making the switch. 

Bradley said: "We don't have quite the same stats [on LIV] that we have out here, but we have some. 

"We know winning and contending on any tour at any level is difficult.

"I don't care where you play. I played the mini-tours. Winning there was difficult. Winning on LIV is difficult. You can see guys — winning a LIV event is a big deal.

"I'm going to have the 12 best players on the team. 

"I don't care where they play. I don't care about the LIV stuff."