\n<\/p>\n
Making a concerted effort to join team bonding events has seemingly helped get him back on side, with US captain Keegan Bradley also pointing to DeChambeau’s “X-Factor ability” and “fiery” energy as further redeeming qualities.<\/p>\n
“This is a tough thing for him, to come into guys that he doesn’t see every day,” said Bradley.<\/p>\n
“But he’s done an exceptional job of making the extra effort – flying to Napa, flying to Atlanta – doing things that are really difficult with the schedule he has. <\/p>\n
“He’s made every effort possible and been incredible in the team room.”<\/p>\n
When the Americans were humbled by the Europeans two years ago, DeChambeau was even further on the periphery than he was at Whistling Straits.<\/p>\n
The controversial switch to LIV Golf meant he was not eligible to earn qualification points for the Rome clash. <\/p>\n
Then-US captain Zach Johnson did not deem him worthy of a wildcard – nor even a phone call relaying the news.<\/p>\n
Harbouring an inescapable feeling of being ruthlessly snubbed, DeChambeau set about getting back on the team for Bethpage.<\/p>\n
“It sucked. I wanted to be there,” DeChambeau said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
“Seeing the guys lose really put a fire in my stomach. I wanted to make the team this time around.”<\/p>\n
The same complications remained, though. <\/p>\n
As a LIV golfer, DeChambeau could only earn points during the eight major championships over the two-year qualification process.<\/p>\n
Demonstrating his insatiable appetite for the big stage, he earned six top-10 finishes – including victory at the 2024 US Open – to claim one of the half a dozen automatic spots.<\/p>\n
However criticism about his suitability for the team environment has continued in the run-up to Bethpage.<\/p>\n
Brandel Chamblee, a former American player and prominent commentator, still believes DeChambeau is an individualist and described him as a “captain’s nightmare”<\/p>\n
“No doubt he is one hell of a golfer,” Chamblee said on the Golf Channel. “But he’s an odd duck when he’s trying to blend in with the team.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n