Golfer Bryson DeChambeau loses sponsorship deal over LIV tournament
Detroit, Michigan - Rocket Mortgage has ended its sponsorship deal with Bryson DeChambeau due to his decision to play in the Saudi-funded LIV Invitational Series.
On Thursday, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced the suspension of all current and future members who are playing in the first edition of the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament.
Now, players joining the invitational are facing even more repercussions from long-time PGA Tour supporting companies.
Rocket Mortgage, a key partner of the Tour, has torn up its sponsorship deal with Bryson DeChambeau due to his reported commitment to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series.
DeChambeau won the PGA Tour's Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit in 2020 and became a partner with the brand shortly after.
LVI tournament supporters pay the price
"Effective immediately, Rocket Mortgage has ended its sponsorship agreement with Bryson," Rocket Mortgage spokesperson Aaron Emerson told ESPN's Tom VanHaaren. "We wish him well in his future success."
The company has been a long-time supporter of the PGA Tour, both as an official partner and tournament host.
"The Rocket Mortgage Classic has quickly become a fixture on the Tour, with players coming to Detroit to compete, while also raising crucial funds to help bridge the digital divide in our city," Emerson added.
"Our partnership with the PGA Tour extends to several prominent golfers, including Bryson DeChambeau, as ambassadors of the Rocket Mortgage brand. As has been widely reported, Bryson elected to join the LIV Golf Series."
The backlash to DeChambeau's involvement with the controversial tournament isn't unique. Phil Mickelson lost many of his sponsors after he backed the LIV Series despite conceding that Saudi Arabia persecutes LGBTQ+ people and was responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Cover photo: Michael Reaves / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP