Daniel Berger: Ryder Cup star ridiculed over remarkable boast

Remember Daniel Berger?

The 31-year-old Floridian has four PGA Tour wins to his name, reached as high as 12th on the Official World Golf Ranking, and was part of the US side that won the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in 2021.

However, he has largely faded from view over the last couple of years, thanks in large part to a back injury that sidelined him for 18 months.

He made his return to the PGA Tour in January, playing 26 times since then. However, he has missed 11 cuts and managed a solitary top-1o finish, coming seventh in the Sanderson Farms Championship last month.

Ranked 140th on the FedEx Cup standings going into the final event of the year, he is currently ranked 222nd on the OWGR and is facing up to the prospect of losing his card.

• Lexi Thompson slams LPGA Tour over ‘sad’ ending

• Charley Hull lavishes praise on Donald Trump

Despite all that, however, his confidence in his own ability remains high.

Very, very high.

Asked for his thoughts on getting back to the top of the game and the additional challenge of smaller fields on the PGA Tour, Berger replied: “It doesn’t really concern me because when I play one-tenth of what I’m capable of, I’m at a level that’s — it’s going to sound terrible, but I think I’m just at a different level than some of the other guys I’m competing against.”

The reaction from golf fans on social media to these comments has been exactly what you might expect.

“This lack of self awareness is how below average players lose their tour card,” said one.

Another added: “If there’s one game that will humble you it’s golf, very bad take on his part. He’s never been close to the best in the world and even they know better than to belittle any opponent. Any pro golfer can beat you over 18 holes, especially at 10%.”

• Martin Kaymer drops hint on next LIV signing

• Tyrrell Hatton named as only LIV star at Ryder Cup warm-up

A third said: “When he says different level, I think he means worse.”

Here’s a snapshot of some of the other reactions:

“He was right. Sounded and is terrible.”

“1/10th? Really. I have never been overly impressed with him over the years.”

“He is good but this is Patrick Reed level stuff here lol. Gotta be confident in guess.”

“Didn’t know he had this attitude. Golf gods hate stuff like this. I hope he has to defend it a lot.”

Berger can still have the last laugh, however.

At the time of writing he is two shots off the lead in the final round of the RSM Classic with five holes played.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor