Bryson DeChambeau hails ‘crazy journey’ as Donald Trump gamble pays off

Bryson DeChambeau says it is “hard to wrap his head around” just how popular his YouTube channel is after his latest ‘Break 50’ challenge, starring Donald Trump, became the No 1 trending video on the platform.  

In its first 24 hours, the hour-long video, which sees the two-time US Open champion and the former president attempt to break 50 from the red tees at Trump National near New York, had more than four million views and saw DeChambeau break through the one million subscribers barrier. It took less than a week to get to ten million views.

• Golf fans all say the same thing about Bryson DeChambeau’s video with Donald Trump

• Donald Trump makes $1 million golf match offer to rival Joe Biden

The series, which has also featured the likes of model Paige Spiranac and LIV Golf colleague Sergio Garcia, sees DeChambeau and a guest attempt to play 18 holes in fewer than 50 shots, has racked up almost 13 million views alone, while the 30-year-old has also taken on the likes of Phil Mickelson, as well as other YouTube stars, in other challenges.

“Thank you so much for your continued support and for joining me on this crazy journey,” DeChambeau posted on X. “1m subscribers is absolutely insane and is hard to wrap my head around.

“It wouldn’t be possible without all of you watching. Cheers to all of the amazing memories and moments still to come!”

Thank you so much for your continued support and for joining me on this crazy journey. 1M Subscribers is absolutely insane and is hard to wrap my head around. It wouldn’t be possible without all of you watching. Cheers to all of the amazing memories and moments still to come! pic.twitter.com/m69lNlfZ6S

— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) July 23, 2024

DeChambeau and Trump, who agreed to donate $10,000 for every birdie and $20,000 for each eagle during their round, shot 22-under to raise vital funds for the Wounded Warriors Project, a charity supporting military veterans in the United States.

But the golfer insists this is “not politics”. DeChambeau had originally reached out to both presidential candidates ahead of November’s election, after Trump and rival Joe Biden spent a bizarre few moments of their first televised debate arguing about who had the better handicap.

“To be clear, this is about golf and giving back to our nation’s veterans,” DeChambeau added. “A few weeks ago I reached out to both parties’ presidential campaigns and Donald Trump was down for the challenge.

“It is an incredible honour to be able to enjoy a round of golf with any sitting or former president, and all have an open invitation to join me for a round of ‘Break 50’ any time.”

DeChambeau went on to clarify that the video was filmed in the first week of July, before he headed to the UK for The Open and LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf & Country Club, and before the attempted assassination of Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.

Alex Perry is the Associate Editor of bunkered. A journalist for more than 20 years, he has been a golf industry stalwart for the majority of his career and, in a five-year spell at ESPN, covered every sporting event you can think of. He completed his own Grand Slam at the 2023 Masters, having fallen in love with the sport at his hometown club of Okehampton and on the links of nearby Bude & North Cornwall.

Associate Editor