In golf media circles, the narrative isn’t just inconsistent, it’s glaringly one-sided. Bryson DeChambeau misses cuts at the Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open in 2026? Cue the piling on.
Johnson Wagner of CBS joked that DeChambeau could complete the “DeChambeau Grand Slam of MCs” at the British Open at Royal Birkdale, while Nick Faldo and Brandel Chambleee, among others, offer canned cringey critiques laced with bias.
Yet Jordan Spieth, once a prodigy with three majors by age 23, has seen his career effectively tank over the better part of a decade, with inconsistency, missed cuts, and a steep drop from elite contention.
The coverage? Kid gloves and sympathetic profiles treating him like a tragic figure bravely navigating a heartbreaking slump (that’s nearly 10 years running!), complete with “what if” nostalgia pieces and gentle hand-wringing over his swing and confidence. No “Grand Slam” jokes for Spieth. Just understanding nods and reminders of past glory.
DeChambeau, by contrast, earned his scrutiny through excellence before this slump: six top-10s in eight major starts from 2024-25, including a 2024 U.S. Open win at Pinehurst. He’s a two-time U.S. Open champion (2020, 2024) this decade with runner-up finishes at the PGA in both 2024 and 2025. He has massive star power that drives fan engagement and box office appeal. His analytical, power-driven style (and LIV affiliation) make him a lightning rod, though.
After his latest missed cut at Shinnecock (70-75, one shot short), DeChambeau owned it in a raw, 34-minute YouTube video — breaking down every shot without excuses. That’s accountability the media rarely highlights. Yet even the video was mocked by the media.
The unfairness is so over the top.
Royal Birkdale looms as DeChambeau’s chance to silence the noise. If he contends or wins, watch the quick pivot to reluctant praise. Until then, the media’s over-the-top mocking of a proven major performer, while coddling others with far less recent juice, exposes the hypocrisy.
