When LIV Golf started drawing big names, Bryson DeChambeau quickly became one of its most talked-about stars. Analysts like Trey Wingo were quick to call out the league’s relaxed competition. Recently, after Phil Mickelson said he feels more relaxed competing in LIV Golf. Once again, Wingo didn’t hold back, bluntly remarking, “Yeah, because it’s not real competition.” While his comment applied to the league as a whole, it further went on to clarify a debate around Bryson.

Bryson DeChambeau has been a consistent performer at the LIV Golf Circuit, but when it comes to his performance at PGA Tour events or the masters, there is one name he can’t escape: Rory McIlroy. Trey Wingo on his channel talked about how most LIV Golfers seem to be fading except Bryson, “So you do have to tip your cap on some level to Bryson because he’s managed to find a way to make it,” is what he added, but at the same time, he gave a brutal reality check. 

Wingo went on to question the real reason behind viewership numbers. “I think Bryson is a compelling watch, but the idea that he’s must-watch TV is poorly founded. Nobody runs to the TV when he’s leading a LIV event. Nobody cares to watch him then. But when he’s going head-to-head against Rory … Are they tuning in for Bryson, or are they tuning in for Rory?” The question referenced the evident contrast in viewership during the 2024 U.S Open.

At the event, Bryson DeChambeau produced one of the greatest moments at a major event. The final moments were a brutal back-and-forth between him and McIlroy, where he finally edged out Rory at the 72nd hole by a stroke. McIlroy bogeying the last 3 holes made headlines as Bryson’s moment of validation came to light, as the scientist proved that he could still deliver on golf’s toughest stage, that too with good viewer numbers. A lot of official data shows this difference in audience gravity, too.

PGA Tour events, which feature Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler, draw millions of viewers. The 2025 Masters averaged 12.7 million viewers, peaking near 19 million when the tournament was about to end, compared to LIV events’ final rounds, where the average is less than 200,000 viewers. This contrast could contribute to why Phil Mickelson and others talk about feeling so much more relaxed on LIV Golf.

Phil Mickelson and the Comfort of LIV Golf

Phil Mickelson’s recent comments on how he feels “so much more relaxed at LIV Golf than I do at the PGA Tour” have brought in a new debate on the nature of competition on the golf course. For analysts like Trey Wingo, Phil’s comment was a clear sign of what is missing. “I feel much more relaxed when I’m playing with my buddies than I am in the member-guest at Scioto… it’s a different level. It’s not the same thing.” The comparison was blunt in terms of the differences in pressure faced.

This sense of relaxation and comfort is what Wingo says is why many LIV Golfers struggle to stay competitive at Majors. The exception here is Bryson, of course. Wingo recognised this, “You do have to sort of give a shout-out to Bryson here. Jon Rahm has not been able to sustain himself through four rounds in a major since he was, as our good friend Justin Ray called him, ‘the destroyer of worlds,’ when he was world No. 1 after winning that Masters… and all those guys since…outside of Bryson, have not figured out a formula to be competitive.”

Their comfort zone in LIV’s relaxed environment, with no cuts and limited fields, contrasts sharply with the grueling pressure of a Sunday chase on the PGA Tour, showcasing the mental endurance and focus needed to stay relevant in the golf world now.

For many analysts like Wingo, the major issue is that comfort can coexist with talent, but not with legacy. LIV Golf may offer freedom, money, and a good environment to play relaxed golf, but it’s the fight under fire that makes golf matter. And right now, Wingo’s comments showcase that only a select few like Bryson still seem to remember how to fight.