Bryson DeChambeau: PGA Tour Needs to Handle Brooks Koepka Rewarding Fans for Heckling

The rivalry between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka took another turn during the Memorial Tournament this weekend.

Koepka, who isn't playing in the tournament, announced Friday he was giving out free cases of Michelob Ultra after fans were cheering for him at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The four-time major champion alluded to a report of fans being removed from the gallery for shouting "Brooksy" toward DeChambeau. 

DeChambeau didn't find the situation as humorous.

"I think that's something that the tour needs to handle, it's something I can't control," he told reporters. "I tried to take the high road numerous times and I think that from my perspective, I'll continue to keep doing so and people are going to do what they want to do. So it is what it is."

His tone was slightly different compared to Friday, when he downplayed his personal irritation from the chants.

"Oh, they weren’t taunts at all, it was flattering," he said. "I think it’s absolutely flattering what they’re doing. They can keep calling me that all day if they want to, I’ve got no issue with it. Most people think it’s a distraction, but I grew up learning how to deal with that stuff and I honestly thought it was flattering."

It's very clear Koepka and DeChambeau don't care for one another.

In a leaked video that quickly went viral, Koepka was conducting an interview with Golf Channel's Todd Lewis when DeChambeau entered the frame while walking off the course. His mere presences appeared to be enough to frustrate Koepka.

That followed a number of subtle and direct shots exchanged between the two stars.

In April, the PGA Tour started the Player Impact Program to pool more money toward the sport's marquee names. The criteria expand beyond just performance and includes factors tied to their popularity off the course.

DeChambeau joked Saturday that Koepka could indirectly help him collect some more cash.

"If he keeps talking about me, that's great for the PIP fund," he said.

The 2020 U.S. Open champion is teaming up with Aaron Rodgers for Capital One's The Match on July 6 at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana. If the tandem of Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady want to get under his skin on the course, then the strategy seems pretty straightforward.