Bryson DeChambeau’s trick shots and ‘golfluencer’ girlfriends make him the most controversial Ryder Cup player

Bryson DeChambeau has been shaking up the very buttoned up world of golf, with backlash over his YouTube trick shots, being branded a “captain’s nightmare” and sparking a ‘feud’ with Irish pro Rory McIlroy.

As he rolled into Bethpage Black in New York for the 2025 Ryder Cup, the California-born pro has copped criticism for using his team moment for online content.

Fans call him “The Scientist” or “Mad Scientist” because of his analytical approach to the sport, but it’s his antics off the fairway as a YouTube “showman,” feuds with his famous rival, and his links to golf influencers and models that have set tongues wagging.

The two-time US Open champ is well-known among his followers for posting slick golf vlogs featuring challenges, experiments and guest appearances to an online audience of millions.

But critics say his penchant for content online distracts from Ryder Cup team USA unity and makes him a liability.

Longtime golf analyst Brandel Chamblee has been one of his most vocal detractors, publicly calling DeChambeau a “captain’s nightmare” and suggesting his focus on algorithms and ad revenue could unravel US cohesion during the tournament.

However, DeChambeau has defended his actions while insisting he’s always “team first.”  

But before the weekend’s golf started, tensions already spilled into a full-blown feud with Rory McIlroy after DeChambeau hinted he might “chirp” the Irishman on camera.

“I’ll be chirping in [McIlroy’s] ear this time. Now, if we go up against each other, I mean, you can be sure of it,” DeChambeau said at the “Happy Gilmore 2” premiere in July.

McIlroy shot back in a presser, calling the stunt “cheap sideshow stuff” and warning his European team wouldn’t be baited into DeChambeau’s content carnival.

He went on to lob a sharp barb in an August interview with The Guardian, claiming DeChambeau “gets attention by mentioning me or Scottie [Scheffler]” to stay relevant.

While their rivalry may be rearing its head again, it isn’t new.

The two stars are on opposite sides of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf feud and have had two memorable major championship battles, with DeChambeau stealing the 2024 US Open from McIlroy and the Northern Irishman returning the favor by giving DeChambeau the silent treatment en route to a win at the Masters this April, according to Golf.com

While McIlroy might not be a fan of Crushers GC frontman DeChambeau — who qualified for Team USA off the back of eight major championship starts — he has drawn rave reviews from his teammates.

“All I’m trying to do is inspire kids on YouTube, and we’ve amassed quite a big audience on YouTube,” DeChambeau told Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis on Monday.

“Whatever Rory says and whatnot … I hope we can have some good banter back and forth, and if not, if he wants to do what he’s doing, great, no problem. 

“There’s a rivalry between every one of us golfers. Is it heightened with Rory? Sure.”

Team captain Keegan Bradley offered his view about the players’ dynamics on Tuesday.

“Bryson, just his golfing ability alone is an X-factor for our team,” he told reporters.

“He’s also a really fiery player. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson.”

Another thing front and center at the Ryder Cup are the players’ wives and girlfriends, as was the case at this year’s official gala event, where every Team USA member was with their WAG except DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele, a fact that has been widely noted by media and fans.

DeChambeau has long been a fixture of gossip pages for alleged romantic ties to a swathe of social media models and influencers including Hunter Nugent, Lilia Schneider and Sophia Phalen Bertolami. Rumors of late-night meet-ups and cross-promotions have only intensified the perception that DeChambeau’s head is anywhere but in the fairway.

While their relationship status remains unclear, Schneider — a college golfer who fills her Instagram page with stunning glamour photos — was first linked to DeChambeau in September 2022 when she was spotted with the pro-golfer at the LIV Golf Invitational-Chicago.

She has previously been dubbed “the next great Instagram golf influencer.”

According to OutKick, the confirmation of a relationship between Schneider and DeChambeau had come from Nugent — another college golfer who also happens to be DeChambeau’s ex-girlfriend.

DeChambeau was photographed riding in a golf cart with Schneider at a LIV Golf event in Chicago, and Nugent cleared up false reports that it was actually her at his side, the report said.

Nugent, an aspiring golf influencer and former University of Texas at San Antonio ex-collegiate player, is often still associated with the pro golfer as his girlfriend, but the couple broke up in 2022.

The former UTSA Roadrunner confirmed it at the time, saying, “Bryson and I aren’t dating anymore.”

DeChambeau and Schneider were also reported to be an item in March 2023, per The Sun.

Schneider was on the 2024-25 roster for the Marian University women’s golf team, according to the university website, which said she was a senior at that time.

The influencer — who has 58,000 Instagram followers — has done a number of fashion collaborations with swimwear and athletic apparel brands.

Neither Nugent nor Schneider have commented, but the whiff of influencer entanglement is another headache for Team USA brass.

DeChambeau has also previously been romantically linked to model Sophia Phalen Bertolami.

She reportedly started dating Bryson before the 2018 Ryder Cup. It’s unclear when the two decided to split.

The Instagram model shared a picture of Bryson after he scooped the first Major title of his career.

DeChambeau produced a masterclass in the final-round to win the 2020 US Open by six shots at Winged Foot in New York.

After his incredible performance, Sophia wrote on Instagram: “Biggest congratulations to this guy!!! Beyond proud of you B! @brysondechambeau.”