In a surprising turn of events, Bryson DeChambeau—one of golf’s most prominent YouTube personalities—went silent when fans expected him to speak up. The situation unfolded at the LIV Golf Duels press conference in Dallas, where DeChambeau was notably absent. He was scheduled to appear alongside Fat Perez, Phil Mickelson, and Grant Horvat to promote the event on his own YouTube channel, but never showed. His empty chair was visible during the live stream, and although organizers said he would be joining, he never did.
This absence has raised questions within the golf community, especially as contract negotiations with LIV Golf near. DeChambeau’s current deal runs through the end of 2026, but he previously stated that talks would begin by the end of 2025. His recent comments about “knowing his worth” now carry more weight amid these developments.
Some rather shocking news for my LIV people. As we know Bryson is supposed to host LIV Duels Dallas on his Youtube Channel.
He no showed the presser with his partner Fat Perez, Phil, and Horvath. He was asked about The Duels in a presser twice and wouldn’t address it or talk… https://t.co/LNC7K4QgCK
— The Scratch Golf Show (@scratchgolfshow) June 28, 2025
Adding to the concern is DeChambeau’s refusal to address the press conference no-show. When asked about the Duels at another media session, he deflected, saying his focus was on the LIV Dallas competition instead. This follows another unexplained absence earlier in the year at LIV’s Miami creator event, which was hosted on Grant Horvat’s channel rather than DeChambeau’s, despite his larger platform.
These incidents suggest a growing divide between DeChambeau and LIV Golf’s promotional expectations. While he has led the movement of professional golfers becoming digital content creators—his “Break 50” series and other content drawing millions of views—the balance between content creation and corporate commitments appears to be getting harder to manage.
DeChambeau’s influence in the digital space is undeniable. His YouTube presence has redefined how golfers engage with fans and gain leverage outside traditional tour structures. Fellow players like Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter have followed suit, launching their own channels. The freedom provided by LIV’s flexible schedule has enabled this shift, but it also introduces new conflicts.
As DeChambeau’s massive following continues to grow, so does his autonomy. However, skipping a major promotional event raises questions about his priorities and his relationship with LIV Golf moving forward. Whether this was a one-off incident or a sign of deeper friction remains to be seen—but it’s clear that his dual role as a player and influencer is reshaping the dynamics of modern golf.