First comment: “He’s kind of crossed that line from being different to just being a d–k.” Second comment: “I think that he is absolutely electric on the golf course.” 

Four years, two majors, and a collab later, these two comments highlight how much Bryson DeChambeau the Mad Scientist has changed in the eyes of his harshest critic. The first comment was from Paige Spiranac in 2020. The second was also from her. But in 2024. DeChambeau has impressed the celebrity influencer so much that she now looks up to the two-time major winner for inspiration.

“On the men’s side, I have to go with Bryson [DeChambeau]. He really has emerged as a star in social media, which is cool, because he is obviously playing at the highest level and also a top-tier creator. From entertaining content that’s instructional, you learn a lot. It is shot well; it’s interesting; it’s fun. Umm… so I do consume a lot of his content,” the celebrity influencer responded in an Instagram Q&A session when one fan asked whose instructional videos she consumes the most.

Spiranac appeared on Bryson Dechambeau’s channel for a collaboration earlier this year. At that time, the social media celebrity tweeted, “I’ve publicly trolled him in the past but in person he was nothing but kind, funny, and self-deprecating. Total opposite from how I perceived him over the years.” The trolling, she mentioned, was in full swing until recently.

 In 2020, the 31-year-old criticized the two-time major winner for his on-course antics. Commenting on DeChambeau’s behavior with rules officials in the Memorial Tournament, Paige Spiranac said in her podcast, “I thought he was doing things that were different, innovative and he is who he is, and I respect that. But in the last three weeks or so, it’s been really hard to be a Bryson fan. He’s kind of crossed that line from being different to just being a d–k.” 

DeChambeau protested a ruling that declared his ball out of bounds. A second rules official was brought in who also agreed with his colleague. Bryson DeChambeau was clearly not happy as he made a 10 to miss the 3-over-par cut line.

A year later, the 31-year-old won the Arnold Palmer Invitational thanks to his monstrous drives. The Crushers captain revealed he had received a text from Tiger Woods before the final round. “We talked about just keep fighting no matter what happens and play boldly like Mr Palmer said,” the two-time major winner said.

It didn’t sit well with Spiranac. Especially, since Tiger Woods was still recovering from a near-fatal car crash. “I didn’t like the Tiger name drop either,” Paige Spiranac tweeted after calling him ‘annoying’ and disingenuous (sic!)’. 

Times have changed. 

A collaboration between the two has altered Spiranac’s opinion. Of course, DeChambeau himself is a different person now as seen by his public reception. Paige Spiranac, meanwhile, has become a staunch defender of DeChambeau against all hatred. 

Paige Spiranac and DeChambeau’s unlikely friendship

Bryson DeChambeau’s Pinehurst triumph didn’t impress everyone. Brandel Chamblee, a noted LIV Golf critic, dubbed it as ‘good fortune’. Paige Spiranac, however, was quick to slam the golfer-turned-broadcaster for playing it down. “Brandel saying  “good fortune” is why Bryson won the US Open is wild. Doesn’t even try to hide his hatred for him. Smh.”

Being a celebrity influencer herself, Spiranac recognized DeChambeau’s efforts more than others. Be it letting fans touch his US Open trophy or offering fun content on social media, DeChambeau has lived up to the moniker ‘People’s Champion.’ Talking about his impact, the 31-year-old said, “[As] a personality, he’s really leaned into social media and able to connect with his audience on a much deeper level, which a lot of the professional golfers don’t do.”

Interestingly, Paige Spiranac and DeChambeau have been linked as well. Dating rumors ran like wildfire. However, Paige Spiranac put a stop to it with a strong message. It’s a relation of mutual respect as her latest comments also show.