When World No. 6 Bryson DeChambeau tees off in Detroit later today, he’ll do so without longtime caddie Tim Tucker, who unexpectedly quit ahead of Thursday’s opening round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The circumstances surrounding Tucker’s departure remain murky (Twitter account “No Laying Up” notes the two have parted ways before, severing ties in 2017 only to reunite the following year), though we know DeChambeau can be high-maintenance at times. Among other eccentricities, the 27-year-old prefers his irons all be the same length and frequently consults his “Green Book” before lining up putts.
Brooks Koepka, fresh off a fifth-place finish at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut last week (punctuated by a grueling, eight-hole playoff between Harris English and Kramer Hickok), took to social media Thursday afternoon, showing his appreciation for Ricky Elliott, who has caddied for him since 2013. The timing of Koepka’s tweet suggests he was directly referencing DeChambeau’s split with Tucker.
Koepka and DeChambeau have always butted heads, though their feud has escalated of late. The rivals have traded barbs for months now, including recently when Koepka encouraged fans to taunt DeChambeau at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio by rewarding them with free beer. Koepka also apologized to Aaron Rodgers when it was announced he’d be partnering with DeChambeau in a celebrity match against Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson in Montana. It was reported that DeChambeau nixed an opportunity to play alongside Koepka at Torrey Pines during last month’s U.S. Open, though Bryson’s camp adamantly denied that claim, insisting the pairing had never been discussed. DeChambeau, for his part, has repeatedly disrupted Koepka’s live interviews, either by heckling him or photobombing in the background.
It’s hard to tell if the rift between DeChambeau and Koepka is manufactured or if the two share a genuine dislike for each other. Whatever the case may be, it’s certainly been an entertaining subplot. Hopefully the two are game for continuing their rivalry across the pond at the upcoming Open Championship in England.
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