Things weren’t always like this. When Bryson DeChambeau decided to walk away from the PGA Tour, Alan Shipnuck was, to begin with, most understanding of his choice. However, over the years, Shipnuck grew critical of LIV and, largely, Phil Mickelson, including exposing multiple sexual assault allegations against him. It has, in fact, bridged a gap between Shipnuck and LIV pros, including DeChambeau. Sunday at Indianapolis was an example.

In an article published on Skratch Golf, Shipnuck described a meeting with DeChambeau in this way: “Bryson DeChambeau was more succinct calling me ‘a PGA Tour shill.’ When I asked if he would consent to an interview, he said, ‘Why, so you can tear us down?'” But a lot happened in those minutes, Shipnuck explained in an interview later.

Speaking on Dan on Golf, Shipnuck revealed he caught DeChambeau with his rumored girlfriend after LIV Golf Indianapolis. When DeChambeau noticed him, he gave him a side-eye. “I was like, ‘you don’t wanna talk?’ He was like, ‘I don’t wanna talk to a PGA Tour shill.’ I was like, bro, what are you even talking about?” Shipnuck shared.

When Shipnuck still tried to have an interview with him, DeChambeau’s manager intervened and tried to put an end to it. A little while later, DeChambeau said the aforementioned quote, before finally relenting and replying with, “We are excited about the future.” Likely not, considering back-to-back bad news.

However, after mentioning DeChambeau’s team’s confrontation with Monday Q, where DeChambeau’s team booted Ryan French, Shipnuck tried to understand the source of DeChambeau’s irritation.

Since joining LIV, DeChambeau has become one of the most, if not the most, popular faces in the league. That has come with extra scrutiny, expectations, and yes, the leadership duties that Shipnuck once hailed back in 2023. Not to mention, with the growing uncertainty around LIV Golf and DeChambeau’s own contract expiration at the end of the season, the pressure must be intense.

Does it justify DeChambeau’s interactions with journalists? No. Does it explain the behavior? Yes.

It must be understood that the pro has avoided the media a lot of times this season, given the criticism of back-to-back missed cuts in the majors. He has also grown weary of the media, considering he called one journalist “mafia.” After spotting journalists, including GOLF.com senior writer Sean Zak, DeChambeau said, “Oooh, the mafia has arrived. The mafia. You guys love talking s–t.” But this reaction hasn’t come out of the blue.

Golf media has largely been critical of LIV, including Shipnuck. In his Skratch article, for instance, he accepted LIV’s success but described LIV as this: “an uppity, noisy, decadent disruptor hell-bent on upending an entire sport.” There’s no way that won’t make things awkward between LIV pros and Shipnuck. Now, add to that Mickelson’s sexual assault allegations we mentioned in the intro. Yes, Shipnuck unearthed them.

Phil Mickelson’s sexual assault allegations

Nearly two months ago, Shipnuck published an article alleging Phil Mickelson showed unwanted behavior after an interview with 19 people. One of these incidents, as per reports, involved the ex-wife of a fellow pro, Pat Perez. Days later, Mickelson’s wife, Amy, was seen without her wedding ring. Were these allegations true?

It is to be noted that Mickelson himself never talked about this, but a spokesperson said, as per USA Today, “Some of the allegations circulating about Mr. Mickelson are false, and others revisit mistakes he has already acknowledged, publicly or privately.” Mickelson has played only one tournament this season. If Shipnuck is part of the reason, then LIV pros’ hesitation to get involved with him makes sense.

But this is not the only reason. Shipnuck was also the man behind the unauthorized book on Mickelson, which exposed multiple things about Lefty, including his habit of betting. It’s really impossible to come back from it all. Precisely why some other reactions at Indianapolis made sense.

LIV golfers hesitate to engage with Shipnuck

Shipnuck had previously approached England’s Laurie Canter for an interview, but the LIV golfer was more diplomatic in declining the request. In his published article, Shipnuck mentioned the incident.

“When I asked the usually jovial Laurie Canter if he would answer a couple of questions, he sputtered, “Absolutely not. No way! You know I love you but I’m not going to say a single word. There is no scenario where that could happen. But that’s a nice shirt you’re wearing, I like it,'” Shipnuck wrote.

Sergio Garcia, too, seemed reluctant. When Shipnuck asked him if he was nostalgic about the “old days,” Garcia replied, “What old days?” he said with a frown. “We’re still here. Unless you know something I don’t.”

The reluctance among some LIV players to engage with certain members of the media is hardly new. Several have grown wary of journalists they believe have been critical of the league’s funding, business model, and controversial launch.

Shipnuck, of course, was the journalist who published a bombshell investigative report detailing a long pattern of alleged misconduct by golfer Phil Mickelson spanning over a decade earlier this year. DeChambeau, however, has long maintained a complicated relationship with the media overall, not just Shipnuck. 

His strained relationship with the traditional media has been evident at major championships, too, where DeChambeau has largely avoided TV and print interviews. Instead, he has increasingly relied on platforms such as YouTube, allowing him to communicate directly with fans while limiting opportunities for unexpected questions or critical scrutiny.

DeChambeau’s latest comments came as LIV Golf wrapped up its 2026 season, with the league’s future still uncertain. DeChambeau himself has urged the golf world to remain “open-minded” about LIV, saying he hopes the league gets “one more shot” to prove itself.

That support could become particularly relevant to DeChambeau’s own future. His current LIV contract expired after the 2026 season, and he is reportedly seeking a new deal worth around $500 million.

However, his latest comments suggest that his strained relationship with the media remains firmly intact, even as LIV Golf enters an uncertain new chapter.