Bryson DeChambeau, the current champion of the US Open, has become embroiled in a dispute with his former coach, Mike Schy, over allegations of extortion. The conflict stems from accusations that DeChambeau failed to uphold an agreement to financially support a junior golf tour named after his deceased father, which has led to a breakdown in the once amicable relationship between the two.
The controversy arose when Schy announced the discontinuation of the Central Valley Jon DeChambeau Memorial Junior Tour due to insufficient funding, explicitly implicating DeChambeau as the party responsible. In response, DeChambeau vehemently refuted these claims, denouncing them as a “total and blatant falsehood.” He emphasized that the failure to back the tour was attributed to unmet business expectations.
The dispute further intensified when Schy demanded $2 million from DeChambeau, insisting that it was time for DeChambeau to “open his checkbook and settle the debt.” DeChambeau’s representative, Brett Falkoff, rejected these demands, asserting that it was unreasonable for DeChambeau to pay such a substantial sum, especially in light of his recent US Open victory.
The disagreement has strained the erstwhile close relationship between DeChambeau and Schy, who had previously collaborated until 2018. Schy expressed his disappointment with DeChambeau’s refusal to support the junior golf tour, highlighting the absence of affordable tournaments for young players in California. Despite Schy’s commendable efforts to arrange affordable events, the relationship deteriorated due to financial disagreements.
In addition to the financial dispute, Schy also accused DeChambeau of mistreating him and his deceased father. He asserted that despite being regarded as a “surrogate father” by DeChambeau, he was ultimately poorly treated.
The ongoing feud has not only strained the personal relationship between DeChambeau and Schy but also raised questions about the financial responsibilities of high-profile athletes to their former coaches and mentors. It remains to be seen how this dispute will be resolved and whether it will have any enduring consequences for DeChambeau’s career in the professional golf world.