Tiger Woods ends silent treatment, congratulates Bryson DeChambeau on his 2024 US Open win

Tiger Woods broke his two-year silence towards Bryson DeChambeau, rekindling a friendship that had gone cold following DeChambeau’s move to the controversial LIV Golf. This gesture of goodwill from Woods has stirred conversations about the future dynamics between PGA Tour players and those who joined LIV Golf.

For a long time, Tiger Woods had given Bryson DeChambeau the cold shoulder. This frostiness began in June 2022 when DeChambeau signed with LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed league that caused significant upheaval in the world of professional golf.

The move not only disrupted the sport but also strained personal relationships, including the budding bromance between Woods and DeChambeau. The two were known for their camaraderie, practicing together and sharing a mutual respect for each other’s work ethic and passion for the game.

However, at the Royal Troon range during the Open Championship, Tiger Woods made a notable gesture by congratulating Bryson DeChambeau on his recent U.S. Open victory. This interaction marked the first communication between the two since DeChambeau’s defection to LIV Golf, a move that Woods had taken quite personally, leading to the two-year silence.

Tiger Woods’ silent treatment ends

The advent of LIV Golf shook the foundations of professional golf. Funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf offered lucrative contracts to players, leading to several high-profile defections from the PGA Tour. Among these was Bryson DeChambeau, who joined the league in June 2022. This decision was met with significant backlash from the PGA Tour and its loyalists, including Tiger Woods, who viewed the move as a threat to the traditional structure of the sport.

Woods, a staunch supporter of the PGA Tour, cut off all communication with DeChambeau, making his disapproval clear. In March 2023, DeChambeau revealed the extent of the rift, mentioning that Woods hadn’t even acknowledged his birthday wishes.

“It is what it is,” DeChambeau said at the time, expressing hope that Woods would eventually see the vision behind LIV Golf’s potential to grow the game.

Despite the strained relations, Woods’s recent congratulatory gesture towards DeChambeau signifies a potential thawing of their frosty relationship. DeChambeau, who has immense respect for Woods, was visibly moved by the encounter.

“It is the first communication, but I’ll say he’s a competitor and I have a lot of respect for him,” DeChambeau said. “I’m sure that winning two U.S. Opens definitely helped, I guess, for him coming up and saying congrats. I don’t know what his position is, but it was very thoughtful, and I was appreciative of it.”

The interaction occurred at a time when both players were facing challenges at the Open Championship. DeChambeau struggled in the tough conditions, finishing his first round with a disappointing score of 76. He cited equipment issues as a significant factor affecting his performance.

“I’m going to go figure it out. It’s something equipment-related,” he said.

Tiger Woods also had a tough time, ultimately missing the cut alongside DeChambeau.

The reconciliation between Woods and DeChambeau has broader implications for the ongoing tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Tiger Woods, who recently had a conversation with another LIV defector, Phil Mickelson, seems to be extending olive branches, hinting at possible progress towards resolving the rift within the golfing community.

Tiger Woods’s decision to reach out to DeChambeau, despite their past differences, underscores the potential for reconciliation and cooperation between players from both leagues. As the golf world watches closely, this renewed communication could pave the way for a more unified approach to the sport’s future.

The move by Woods is not just a personal gesture but a significant step towards bridging the divide that has marked professional golf in recent years.