Augusta National chairman talks problems in golf, LIV-PGA situation
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WSAV) — Wednesday at Augusta National Golf Club always marks the chairman's press conference.
The current chairman, Fred S. Ridley provided several bits of information in the 40 minutes he was in front of the media.
The chairman started by talking about the hard work it took to get the course back to playing shape after the impacts of Hurricane Helene in September.
Then he gave an update on the Players Services Project. He said phase one is complete, which was the underground parking garage for the players. Phase two, which is the three-level, state-of-the-art building is still on schedule.
He also addressed problems with the game of golf, which he is keeping an eye on. The first is distance and the other is pace of play.
'I am encouraged that the PGA Tour is doing some things, experimenting with some timing procedures that might be a little more aggressive than we've seen in the past,' Ridley said. 'Golf's a special game because it requires us to be considerate while also being competitive, respecting other people's time, including importantly, the fans who support the game is a fundamental courtesy.'
He was asked about, arguably, the most pressing issue in golf right now: The current state of the merger between the PGA Tour and LIV golf.
'I'm going to continue to be saying that and encouraging the leaders of the organizations involved to try to work together to come up with a solution,' Ridley said. 'But I think we all agree that four times a year, is not enough to have the great players of the game together.'
Also in the presser, Chairman Ridley said this week is the 50th anniversary of the first African American playing in the Masters tournament. On April 10, 1975, Lee Elder became the first Black professional golfer to play in the Masters. Jack Nicklaus would go on to win the tournament.
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Washington Post
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After he won the U.S. Open last year, saving par with a miraculous 54-yard bunker shot on the final hole to douse Rory McIlroy's hopes, DeChambeau paraded around Pinehurst until after midnight, sharing the trophy with fans, smiling for every camera, even returning to the 18th hole to talk through the memorable shot with Golf Channel's Johnson Wagner. It wasn't image rehabilitation as much it was a reputational eruption. 'He's the game's ultimate marketer right now,' NBC analyst Dan Hicks said. 'I think he's been incredibly smart with his transformation. … I think he's the same guy, but he's just used the showmanship routine to really take his stardom to a whole new level.' DeChambeau finished in the top five at this year's Masters and PGA Championship. He won a LIV event in South Korea last month, and his game is well-suited for Oakmont. Still, he turned to a new set of irons this week, in search of an edge. And he hopes to soon debut a new golf ball after further testing. 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The lighter competition schedule gave him more free time, and he has used that time to test himself in new ways. 'YouTube has massively helped, I can tell you that,' he said, 'being able to just release the emotions in the way that I know I can. When I was a kid, I was super emotional, obviously, but I got frustrated on the golf course, I got really excited on the golf course.' 'Then when I got on tour, it was like everybody [said]: 'Hey, no, come on, just be in control. Control yourself. Control yourself.' There were times where I got frustrated but also times where I realized: 'Hey, no, I should be expressing my emotions, because that's me. I don't want to be someone that I'm not.'' Even if he captures another major title this weekend, DeChambeau is unlikely to be content. He wants to affect the entire sport, and then do it again and again. 'I think Bryson, in his mind, would really like to do some great things for the game,' Parra said. 'Obviously, he does it different than everyone else. But you do see a lot of guys that have made a lot of money and get a little complacent. They're okay with finishing 20 to 50th. That's not Bryson. Bryson is not going to stop.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Bryson DeChambeau Makes Defiant Statement on LIV Golf Future Ahead of 2025 U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau Makes Defiant Statement on LIV Golf Future Ahead of 2025 U.S. Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 U.S. Open is scheduled for this weekend at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, marking the 125th time the prestigious tournament will be played. Advertisement Two-time winner Bryson DeChambeau, who won the event last year at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina, is expected to compete for the U.S. Open Trophy this year as one of the top players in the field. On Tuesday DeChambeau, who also plays for the LIV Golf League's Crushers team, made a defiant statement on his future with LIV as he prepares to defend his 2024 U.S. Open Championship. Bryson DeChambeau speaks during a practice round on June 10, 2025. © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images DeChambeau wore a Crushers polo shirt as he answered a loaded question about the league. "When does your deal with LIV expire and have you thought beyond what your professional life would be after your LIV career?" DeChambeau was asked. Advertisement "Next year is when it looking to renegotiate, end of this year, and I'm very excited. They see the value in me. I see the value in what they can provide," DeChambeau said. "And I believe we'll come to some sort of resolution on that, and, super excited for the future. I think that LIV's not going anywhere," he added, calling LIV a "viable option" going forward. "We're starting to grow and move in the right direction," DeChambeau added. "I know my worth, I know what LIV brings to the table, and I'm excited for the future of what golf is gonna be." DeChambeau reportedly signed a $100-plus million deal with LIV in June 2022. Related: Rory McIlroy Makes Major Revelation Before US Open This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
