Golf news: Bryson DeChambeau left in tears as icon quits over Ryder Cup abuse | Golf | Sport
Bryson DeChambeau (R) opened up in an emotional interview following his LIV Golf win (Image: Getty)
There has been a surge of emotion in recent days both on and off the golf course. With Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler absent, Matt Fitzpatrick won the Valspar Championship at the weekend by a single stroke.
The jubilant 31-year-old celebrated his first PGA Tour title since 2023 by delivering a right fist pump and shouting with joy. In LIV Golf, Bryson DeChambeau claimed his fifth career LIV victory before being moved to tears. The golf season is now in full flow, with excitement growing as we edge towards the first major of the year with the Masters on April 9. Express Sport delves deeper into the biggest stories from the past few days.
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Golf legend’s retirement decision
Veteran Sky Sports golf commentator Ewen Murray says he decided to retire after witnessing the “disgraceful” abuse Rory McIlroy and his wife endured at last year’s Ryder Cup. The 71-year-old has been the voice of Sky Sports’ golf coverage for 35 years but has begun to step back from his role. He is expected to fully retire this summer, with the recent Players Championship and the upcoming Masters marking some of his final tournaments.
Murray said on the Sliced Podcast: “I heard stuff in that half-hour that I can’t repeat to you, it’s that bad. Not fired at Rory but at Rory’s family. I walked back and I thought, ‘Do you really need to be part of this any more?’
“And that’s when I decided to finish commentary. By the time I got on the plane on the Monday, I looked out over New York and thought it’s been a fantastic journey, but if that’s our future I really don’t want any part of it.”
Ewen Murray will likely step away from commentating for good this summer (Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
DeChambeau’s tears
Bryson DeChambeau broke down in tears while explaining why winning Sunday’s LIV Golf South Africa event made him so emotional. The two-time US Open winner beat Jon Rahm in a play-off to clinch victory, revealing afterwards that he had been grappling with some personal matters recently.
A clearly emotional DeChambeau, having won two consecutive tournaments, kept details of his struggles private but hinted that he’d been dealing with a lot. Addressing his outpouring of emotion, DeChambeau said: “I wish I could tell you. A lot has happened in my life in the past week. I’m just so grateful for my team, the Crushers, everybody supporting me.
“It’s so funny, golf is a fickle game, and you work so hard at it your whole entire life, and you realize that golf is just golf and there’s a lot more to life than just golf. I had some things happen in the off time during this week and I was just praying all day, praying to give me the perseverance to move forward and keep looking forward.
“I’ve just got to say I love everybody. Thank you for supporting. South Africa was unbelievable. I mean, got to be the best LIV event we’ve ever had. I’ve had you for eight straight days, plus two playoffs. I guess I need to bring you to the Masters or something.”
Matt Fitzpatrick is in fine form at the moment (Image: Julio Aguilar, Getty Images)
Fitzpatrick’s Masters claim
Matt Fitzpatrick joked that he will win the Masters following his victory at the Valspar Championship last weekend. Just days after securing second place at The Players Championship, Fitzpatrick clinched only his third PGA Tour victory at Valspar, having sunk an impressive 13-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole on the Copperhead Course.
The Englishman is clearly relishing his current form, which could bode well for his chances at Augusta National next month. Fitzpatrick was clearly in high spirits ahead of his 12th Masters appearance, having been asked about teeing off at Augusta.
He jokingly said: “Yeah, I mean, I’m probably going to win, yeah,” before adding: “No, no. Yeah, I mean, I’m obviously very confident in my game right now. But what it takes to win a major is very different to what it takes to win on the PGA TOUR, in my opinion. Particularly the Masters, there’s extra pressure on the Masters, no matter who you are. You know, it just has that standing above all the other events, as well as the majors, you know.
“The stuff that I still want to work on. I’m coming away from this week, obviously I won, delighted with where my game’s at, but there’s stuff I want to improve. I want to make sure that I’m ready for when I get to Augusta to be ready to play and be ready that Thursday morning. So, yeah, I’m really looking forward to that week.”
