Bryson DeChambeau Defended by U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley amid Ryder Cup Criticism

Bryson DeChambeau has faced a good bit of criticism ahead of the Ryder Cup, but United States team captain Keegan Bradley came to his defense.

Bradley said DeChambeau's "energy" is needed in an event like the Ryder Cup.

"He's a really fiery player," Bradley said Tuesday, per ESPN's Paolo Uggetti. "When you come to a Ryder Cup, you don't want guys to try to be something they're not. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson."

DeChambeau, who is the only member of the United States' team that competes in LIV rather than the PGA Tour, has been criticized throughout his career, witch much of that criticism being because of his YouTube channel.

Uggetti noted that Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee on Monday called DeChambeau a "captain's nightmare" who cares only for "interest for himself."

But DeChambeau's teammates have his back heading into the event, which begins Friday. Along with Bradley, Scottie Scheffler had high praise for DeChambeau.

"I think Bryson is a tremendous competitor. He's a great partner as well. I partnered with him in 2021 at Whistling Straits and he was a tremendous guy to be out to be golf course with. He's a great guy and a good friend and he's been great in our team room," Scheffler said, per CBS Sports' Robby Kalland. "He brings a lot of energy, the people love him, and I think he loves the opportunity to be able to represent his country. He's a multiple-time U.S. Open winner, and that means a lot to him. Being an American I think means a lot to him as well. I'm excited to kind of unleash him this week."