NFL legends Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have been dragged into the simmering feud between golf stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
Just days after footage emerged of Koepka displaying his complete disdain for DeChambeau, the pair have again traded barbs on social media.
It followed the announcement that DeChambeau would partner Rodgers in the latest edition of The Match, a made-for-TV event where players are wear microphones in a matchplay format to raise money for charity.
US PGA champion Phil Mickelson will pair up with Brady to take on DeChambeau and Rodgers.
"Sorry bro @AaronRodgers12," Koepka tweeted, presumably sympathising with Rodgers for having to be paired with DeChambeau.
The reigning US Open champion returned serve with a tweet of his own.
"It's nice to be living rent free in your head!" DeChambeau wrote.
https://twitter.com/BKoepka/status/1397613611435036678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/b_dechambeau/status/1397630013969735685?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwThe exchange may have been triggered by a tweet from Brady, who posted a meme from the now-infamous post-round interview at the PGA Championship, where Koepka lost his cool after being taunted by DeChambeau.
Over a picture of Koepka showing his contempt for DeChambeau, the text said, "Aaron realising he has to spend the whole day with Bryson."
DeChambeau wouldn't be silenced, however, replying with a sledge of his own, referencing the controversial Deflategate scandal of 2014.
"@TomBrady, once @AaronRodgers12 and I take you and @PhilMickelson, you will feel just as deflated as those balls were in the AFC Championship game."
https://twitter.com/b_dechambeau/status/1397628724925849611?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwThe animosity between Koepka and DeChambeau threatens to derail the USA Ryder Cup campaign, with both golfers certain to be part of the team later this year.
The pair have been bitter rivals for a number of years. In 2019, Koepka took a veiled swipe at the length of time DeChambeau took over each of his shots, telling Golf Monthly, "It really drives me nuts."
The situation reached farcical proportions later that year, when video of DeChambeau taking more than three minutes to hit a 70-yard shot went viral.
But photographs of a naked Koepka in ESPN's Body Issue in early 2020 took their feud to a whole new level, after DeChambeau, who has packed on more than 20kg following a insane workout schedule, took aim at Koepka's physique.
https://twitter.com/BKoepka/status/1217811166891794434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"He didn't even have any abs, I can tell you that. I got some abs," he said.
It took Koepka less than a day to respond, tweeting a photo of the trophies from his four major championships.
"You were right @b_dechambeau I am 2 short of a 6 pack!" he wrote.
In July, DeChambeau won a PGA Tour event that included a confrontation with a cameraman. His fiery temper, along with the incredible change to his body, had Koepka suggesting it may not have all been above board.
https://twitter.com/BKoepka/status/1280576856601833472?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwInjury mean Koepka couldn't compete at last year's US Open, where DeChambeau claimed his first (and so far, only) major title.
When asked for his thoughts on his rival's big breakthrough, Koepka feigned ignorance.
"Yeah, I didn't watch a shot of it. I didn't see anything," he said.
In the latest installment of their ongoing quarrel, footage from last week's PGA Championship showed Koepka's post-round interview with the Golf Channel, following the second day of the tournament.
As Koepka talked about his frustrations with the putter, DeChambeau walked behind his rival, who became distracted, rolling his eyes and unable to continue with his answer.
"I lost my train of thought, hearing that bulls--t. F--king Christ," he muttered.
When told that those back in the TV bunker would enjoy the exchange, Koepka's complete disdain for DeChambeau was evident.
"I honestly wouldn't even care," Koepka said.
DeChambeau is currently second and Koepka fourth in the race for spots on the US Ryder Cup team to take on Europe later this year.
With the top six guaranteed selection, and a further six captain's picks, US captain Steve Stricker has some fences to mend before September.
Koepka is no stranger to Ryder Cup feuds. At the 2018 event in France, he and Dustin Johnson allegedly had to be pulled apart after Johnson felt his fiancée, Paulina Gretzky, and Koepka had become too close after he allegedly consoled her over relationship problems.
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/golf/brooks-koepka-bryson-de-chambeau-the-match-phil-mickelson-tom-brady-aaron-rodgers/9e977adc-c66e-449f-99aa-070dbaa6035a
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