DeChambeau wins with tears

By Neville Idour

It is not always about the money or prestige winning a golf tournament, even when you win $US4 million.

For Bryson DeChambeau memories of his loved father’s decades-long health battles before finally dying at age 63 in November, 2022, came flooding back on the 18th green as he was getting ready to hit the winning putt at The Club in Steyn City in South Africa.

LIV Golf South Africa - Day Four
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 22: Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC raises his arm after playing his 4th shot on 18th hole and he won the 2026 LIV Golf South Africa title in a dramatic playoff, defeating Jon Rahm with a birdie on the first extra hole during day four of LIV Golf South Africa at The Club at Steyn City on March 22, 2026 in Johannesburg. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)

Wiping tears from his eyes he sank the putt before gladly receiving the warmest of embraces from Jon Rahm who obviously had some inkling of what was going on. It was heart warming to see the genuine response from Rahm.

Facing the press gallery after his win DeChambeau said there had been a lot going on for him which he wasn’t going to elaborate on except it was about his dad.

“It’s been a few years now and I think it is time for people to see that I’m not just a scientific robot guy. I care a lot. I have a lot of passion. I care about the game, I care about the people watching, I care about entertaining, I care about my team, I care about pretty much everything.

“You know, when you have moments in life that aren’t easy, it’s really nice to have a father that can give you that perseverance and wisdom to say don’t quit, don’t ever quit. He said keep going, and it was true today. I mean there was a moment on 16 that happened with a fan out there that did something to me that made me literally crash as I was walking up to the 16th tee. That’s when the storm got really heavy and it gave me that perseverance and gratitude that no matter what happens I’m going to be okay. There is more to life than just golf.

“It relaxed me a lot in that moment, because it was getting difficult and tough. That emotion was a lot of built up, pent up …”

At this point emotion took over for a few moments and some applause before he regathered himself and continued.

“There’s a lot going on and I love everybody for it, I love my team for it and I love everybody back home. Life is not easy sometimes, especially what my dad went through and now what I am going through. Everybody has it and that’s why I have such a great team here to give me a lot.”

Perhaps to add a little insight and anyone who has dealt with the heartache of watching a loved one battle with ongoing serious health issues will understand, his father Jon’s problems began way back in the early 1990s when just in his early 30s. He was diagnosed with diabetes which led to both kidneys failing in 2014. In 2017 he received a kidney transplant, which allowed him to continue watching his son’s career, including at The Masters in 2016 while on dialysis.

Finally in 2022 Jon suffered further setbacks including partial leg amputation and mini strokes before his death on November 5, 2022.

Following his death Bryson expressed his love for his father saying he was happy he was no longer in pain. Bryson dedicated his 2024 US Open victory which occurred on Father’s Day to his father. In 2023 Bryson launched the Central Valley Jon De Chambeau Memorial Junior Tour to make golf more accessible to children, honouring his father’s role as a teaching professional. Bryson has often spoken about how his father taught him resilience, noting his father’s determination to watch his victories despite his health struggles.

Yes, as Bryson said “There is more to life than golf.”