Bryson Scolds Television Cameraman For "Watching me the whole entire way up after getting out of the bunker", Calls For More On-Course Privacy

Bryson running a little hot. Caught up with him on 7 where he took a Sergio slash at the sand after splashing out of a greenside bunker, muttered an expletive after missing the par save and spent 60 seconds in a...testy discussion with a cameraman on his way to 8 tee. pic.twitter.com/ENjQt1U689

Bryson DeChambeau was seen giving a television cameraman covering round three of the Rocket Mortgage Classic some and was asked about his outburst by GolfChannel.com’s Will Gray following a third round 67.

So he gave the cameraman grief for, what, you ask?

Keeping the camera on Bryson…too long.

Yep. His privacy was invaded. His brand tainted.

Before we dive in to Gray’s GolfChannel.com story from Detroit Golf Club (where DeChambeau trails Matthew Wolff by three), I want to highlight some layers to this bizarre moment in the “Return to Golf”.

DeChambeau’s diva-gone-awry moment illuminates, among other things:

—The value of on site reporting and a writer (Gray) observing something not seen on a telecast, then asking a simple question post-round about what the issue was with the cameraman on the 7th hole. This kind of coverage is already limited in the era of COVID-19 and dwindling media resources.

—The positively thankless job of working as a camera operator these days for CBS or PGA Tour Live. (I’m not clear yet which this lens man doing his job works for). Earlier this week, this cameraman most likely boarded a flight where you could get infected with COVID-19, sat in a cramped coach seat with no spacing, will have to fill out an expense essay detailing why he’s billing the company for an in-flight gin and tonic, only to arrive in sultry Detroit to have some bloated brat in a newsboy cap bellow on about you doing your job.

—The clubby attitude of some PGA Tour players whose ideal world may consist of no cameras, media, fans, sponsors or a sense of appreciation for the privileges of playing during a pandemic.

—The value of attending English classes at SMU to learn not to say things like “whole entire way”.

I could pile on (too late?), but let’s get to the quotes in Gray’s piece. Remember, this came after a 67 that included some absurdly long tee shots.

DeChambeau fired his club angrily into the sand shortly after impact, and he ultimately made bogey. While he described his reaction to the shot as “dumb,” he took issue with the cameraman subsequently following him closely as he approached the green and marked his ball.

“He was literally watching me the whole entire way up after getting out of the bunker, walking up next to the green. And I just was like, ‘Sir, what is the need to watch me that long?’” DeChambeau said. “I mean, I understand it’s his job to video me, but at the same point, I think we need to start protecting our players out here compared to showing a potential vulnerability and hurting someone’s image. I just don’t think that’s necessarily the right thing to do.”

Yes, cameramen, from now on drop the lens downward when you sense a grown man’s image might be tainted by their generally childish behavior.

Anyway, Gray saw the exchange where DeChambeau expressed his obviously delusional views to the unsuspecting cameraman. Following the round he was asked and Bryson answered:

“As much as we’re out here performing, I think it’s necessary that we have our times of privacy as well when things aren’t going our way. I mean, we’re in the spotlight, but if somebody else is in the spotlight they wouldn’t want that either,” DeChambeau said. “I feel like when you’re videoing someone and you catch Tiger (Woods) at a bad time, you show him accidentally doing something, or someone else, they’re just frustrated because they really care about the game. It could really hurt them if they catch you at a potentially vulnerable time.”

Oh, you mean like, a fine? Not exactly…

“We don’t mean anything by it, we just care a lot about the game. For that to damage our brand like that, that’s not cool in the way we act because if you actually meet me in person, I’m not too bad of a dude, I don’t think.”

Yep he played the brand card. But do give him credit for avoiding the first person reference.

There has been a risk in the PGA Tour pushing the “Return to Golf” in these difficult times. Commissioner Jay Monahan has said as much. So remember Bryson, you need to act grateful to be back playing. While other sports struggle to get back, everyone is pleased to have professional golf back. Please try to remember that the world is watching and if you don’t like it, stay home. Oh, and next time you spew droplets in someone’s face, wear a mask—like the cameraman you so unfairly berated.