Brooks Koepka says he ‘just wanted to spank’ Bryson DeChambeau after soundly beating rival in ‘The Match’

By John Sinnott CNN
Updated 7:42 AM EST, Sat November 27, 2021
The rivalry between US golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka kicked off in 2019, and through internet memes and viral clips, has blossomed into one of the sport's most compelling storylines.
The rivalry between US golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka kicked off in 2019, and through internet memes and viral clips, has blossomed into one of the sport's most compelling storylines.
Andrew Redington/Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
When Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in 1996, Phil Mickelson had already appeared at the Ryder Cup twice. Between them, they have won 127 tour events including 21 majors, and have battled each other on countless occasions during the final round of competitions. Unfortunately for Mickelson, there is no other player who has spent as many weeks at world No. 2 without reaching the top spot as him.
Phil Mickelson vs. Tiger Woods —
When Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in 1996, Phil Mickelson had already appeared at the Ryder Cup twice. Between them, they have won 127 tour events including 21 majors, and have battled each other on countless occasions during the final round of competitions. Unfortunately for Mickelson, there is no other player who has spent as many weeks at world No. 2 without reaching the top spot as him.
Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports/Reuters
They were golf's band of brothers. "The Golden Bear," "The King" and "The Black Knight" shared 34 major wins between them and irrevocably changed the sport they played. Between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, the trio of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player came to redefine golf, all the while forming lasting friendships.
They were golf's band of brothers. "The Golden Bear," "The King" and "The Black Knight" shared 34 major wins between them and irrevocably changed the sport they played. Between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, the trio of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player came to redefine golf, all the while forming lasting friendships.
ABC/John Kelly/Adrian Murrell/Allsport/Getty Images
The rivalry between Sam Snead (left) and Ben Hogan (right) was one of pure excellence. After Hogan turned professional in 1938 -- two years after Snead -- the pair won a combined 146 times on the PGA Tour. There were 81 wins for Snead and 64 for Hogan -- which includes 16 majors between them. While Snead shares the record with Woods for the most wins on the PGA Tour, Hogan is only one of five players to have completed a career major grand slam.
The rivalry between Sam Snead (left) and Ben Hogan (right) was one of pure excellence. After Hogan turned professional in 1938 -- two years after Snead -- the pair won a combined 146 times on the PGA Tour. There were 81 wins for Snead and 64 for Hogan -- which includes 16 majors between them. While Snead shares the record with Woods for the most wins on the PGA Tour, Hogan is only one of five players to have completed a career major grand slam.
Bettmann/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images
The rivalry between Paul Azinger and Seve Ballesteros was primarily played out at Ryder Cup. At the 1989 Ryder Cup, Azinger refused to let Ballesteros switch out a scuffed ball in their singles match. On the 18th hole of that match, Ballesteros then disputed a drop Azinger took out of the water. In 1991, when the two were put together in the opening match, the pair clashed along with their teammates after the Americans had apparently used two different balls illegally. "The Americans were 11 nice guys -- and Paul Azinger," Ballesteros memorably later said.
Paul Azinger vs. Seve Ballesteros —
The rivalry between Paul Azinger and Seve Ballesteros was primarily played out at Ryder Cup. At the 1989 Ryder Cup, Azinger refused to let Ballesteros switch out a scuffed ball in their singles match. On the 18th hole of that match, Ballesteros then disputed a drop Azinger took out of the water. In 1991, when the two were put together in the opening match, the pair clashed along with their teammates after the Americans had apparently used two different balls illegally. "The Americans were 11 nice guys -- and Paul Azinger," Ballesteros memorably later said.
Peter Dazeley/Getty Images
At the turn of the century, Annika Sorenstam (left) and Karrie Webb (right) were the two best women's golfers around. While Sorenstam looked the be running away with the crown of world's best golfer, Webb proved her class, winning six of her seven majors between 1999 and 2002. Although Sorenstam came roaring back, it was a rivalry that kept fans enthralled.
Annika Sorenstam vs. Karrie Webb —
At the turn of the century, Annika Sorenstam (left) and Karrie Webb (right) were the two best women's golfers around. While Sorenstam looked the be running away with the crown of world's best golfer, Webb proved her class, winning six of her seven majors between 1999 and 2002. Although Sorenstam came roaring back, it was a rivalry that kept fans enthralled.
Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images
Walter Hagen (left) and Bobby Jones (right) were two of golf's earliest stars. Hagen won 11 majors between 1914 and 1919 -- the third most in golf's history -- while Jones won seven. The two often did battle on the course, including numerous exhibition matches.
Walter Hagen (left) and Bobby Jones (right) were two of golf's earliest stars. Hagen won 11 majors between 1914 and 1919 -- the third most in golf's history -- while Jones won seven. The two often did battle on the course, including numerous exhibition matches.
PGA Tour Archive/Keystone-France/Getty Images
Nick Faldo of England (left) and Greg Norman of Australia (right) were at the top of golf during a competitive time for the sport. In the 1980s and 1990s, the pair competed for major titles -- winning eight between them -- going against Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer. However, their relationship will be most remember for Faldo's dramatic victory at the 1996 Masters where he overcame a six-shot deficit to capitalize on Norman's final round collapse to win.
Nick Faldo vs. Greg Norman —
Nick Faldo of England (left) and Greg Norman of Australia (right) were at the top of golf during a competitive time for the sport. In the 1980s and 1990s, the pair competed for major titles -- winning eight between them -- going against Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer. However, their relationship will be most remember for Faldo's dramatic victory at the 1996 Masters where he overcame a six-shot deficit to capitalize on Norman's final round collapse to win.
Stephen Munday/Getty Images
The atmosphere at Ryder Cups can often be hostile and unwelcoming for traveling players. Ever since European players could play in 1979, the passion of the fans has been something players have reveled in, but has sometimes spilled over.
Europe vs. US —
The atmosphere at Ryder Cups can often be hostile and unwelcoming for traveling players. Ever since European players could play in 1979, the passion of the fans has been something players have reveled in, but has sometimes spilled over.
Simon Bruty/Getty Images
One instance where the crowd was teetering on going from boisterous to distasteful was in 2016 at Hazeltine for Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello. Garcia's then girlfriend Angela -- now wife -- politely <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/22/golf/ryder-cup-wives-girlfriends-cmd-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">asked</a> hecklers to stop yelling "horrible things" to the away team and their spouses.
'Horrible things' —
One instance where the crowd was teetering on going from boisterous to distasteful was in 2016 at Hazeltine for Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello. Garcia's then girlfriend Angela -- now wife -- politely asked hecklers to stop yelling "horrible things" to the away team and their spouses.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The raucous nature of the crowds has only sought to add to the tension and rivalries players have developed, making it must-watch sport.
Europe vs. US —
The raucous nature of the crowds has only sought to add to the tension and rivalries players have developed, making it must-watch sport.
Bob Martin/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Golf's greatest rivalries
CNN  — 

It proved less of a match, more a walk in the park for Brooks Koepka.

So much so that the fifth edition of “The Match” in Las Vegas, which was scheduled to be over 12 holes, didn’t go the distance.

Bryson DeChambeau didn’t win a single hole, before conceding on the ninth as Koepka won 4&3 at the Wynn Golf Course.

“Man, I haven’t seen a beatdown like this since me and Phil put it on [Peyton Manning] and Steph [Curry],” quipped commentator Charles Barkley, referring to when he partnered with six-time major champion Phil Mickelson in the third edition of “The Match.”

Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 10th tee as Bryson DeChambeau looks on during Capital One's "The Match" at Wynn Golf Course on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 10th tee as Bryson DeChambeau looks on during Capital One's "The Match" at Wynn Golf Course on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
David Becker/Getty Images

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Alongside Barkley, Mickelson was also a TV commentator for the match between Koepka and DeChambeau.

The rivalry between Koepka and DeChambeau has brewed for over two years. It’s been played out on golf courses and social media and has encompassed plenty of jibes and memes.

It all began with a dispute over slow play, and Koepka’s criticism of DeChambeau’s meticulous approach.

But it was Koepka who won the bragging rights on Friday – and then some.

“It was fun to come out here and settle this,” said Koepka. “I’m not going to lie. I just wanted to spank him.”

DeChambeau plays his shot from the bunker on the second hole.
DeChambeau plays his shot from the bunker on the second hole.
David Becker/Getty Images

DeChambeau handed out cupcakes to the gallery on the first tee – a nod to how you pronounce Koepka’s name – but thereafter struggled to find the sweet spot in his game.

With Koepka so dominant, DeChambeau’s opportunities to trash talk his rival were limited, though he did his best.

“Where is this on the PGA Tour, man?” DeChambeau asked Koepka. “You play so good right now.” That was a barbed reference to Koepka missing his last two cuts.

“It’s kind of like my major right now, right?” responded Koepka.

“Does this want to make you play with [Bryson] more?” Koepka was then asked. “Nah, I’m good.”

The clash between the two US golfers helped raise money for Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour and Feeding America, as well as DeChambeau donating to Shriner’s Hospital and Koepka to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the fourth tee.
Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the fourth tee.
David Becker/Getty Images

Over the four previous installments of the series, more than $30 million has been raised for various charities and initiatives.

DeChambeau (L) and Koepka shake hands after the latter's victory.
DeChambeau (L) and Koepka shake hands after the latter's victory.
David Becker/Getty Images

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