Koepka, DeChambeau ready to battle it out on course for 12 holes

Golf handicapper Steve Sands joins Follow The Money to discuss the betting odds and best props heading into "The Match: Brooks Koepka vs. Bryson DeChambeau."

A longstanding golf feud will be in the spotlight on Friday when Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka battle it out in The Match.

The fifth edition of the match-play golf event (4 p.m. ET) will be a 12-hole contest at the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.

The two American golfers have been trading barbs for years, though there seemed to be a slight truce when they hugged it out as teammates at this year's Ryder Cup.

The two first played together in the final round of the 2016 Masters, with Koepka saying he was not a fan of DeChambeau from the start.

“I never really liked him,” Koepka said.

But the feud didn't make headlines until 2019.

Kopeka had been vocal about slow playing being a major issue on the PGA Tour, with most feeling DeChambeau was one of his prime targets. On the practice green at Liberty National at the start of the 2019 post-season, DeChambeau approached Koepka's caddie and gave him a message, USA Today's Eamon Lynch reported.

The following year, DeChambeau made a comment about Koepka's pictures in ESPN's "Body Issue," saying "he didn't have any abs."

Koepka shot back on social media.

There also has been a video of Koepka rolling his eyes as DeChambeau walked behind him and fans chanting "Brooksie" at DeChambeau.

The players have been escalating the trash talk this week.

Koepka was asked why the event is only 12 holes.

“Eighteen holes with him is a long time,” Koepka said Monday evening. “I don’t want to be around him as much anybody else.”

The PGA Tour is offering a $40 million bonus pool for a “Player Impact Program” that is measured by various metrics, and DeChambeau suspects that’s what has been driving Koepka.

“It’s disgusting the way the guy has tried to knock me down,” DeChambeau said. “There’s no need for it in the game of golf. For what reason? I don’t know. Maybe he’s jealous and wants to get part of that PIP money from the tour.”

DeChambeau also recently took a shot at Koepka for his recent results.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady came up with another idea for the golfers on Friday.

DeChambeau is ranked seventh in the world and Koepka is 16th.

DeChambeau has one major win -- the 2020 U.S. Open -- while Koepka has four -- the 2018 and '19 PGA Championship and 2017 and '18 U.S. Open.

-- With files from The Associated Press.

When submitting content, please abide by our  submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.
We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn More or change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.
close