Golf star DeChambeau doubts authenticity of moon landing footage

Bryson DeChambeau is used to making headlines. The two-time US Open champion is considered one of the most enigmatic characters in professional golf - polarizing, vocal, never at a loss for an opinion. But with his latest appearance, the American has sparked a debate that goes far beyond the Fairway: DeChambeau doubts the authenticity of the film footage of the Apollo moon landings.

"I don't believe the footage is real"

The impetus came from an obvious question for a golfer: on the "Katie Miller Pod" podcast - hosted by Katie Miller, the wife of Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller - DeChambeau was asked whether he believed that astronaut Alan Shepard actually hit a golf shot on the moon during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971.

What followed was a remarkable answer. DeChambeau acknowledged that he was moving the topic into the realm of conspiracy theories - only to present his typical mix of skepticism and selective trust:

"Look, Elon [Musk] says we've definitely been there. So I tend to lean towards that view because he's the one who knows it pretty well. Artemis just flew around the moon. So I do believe that if we've invested as many resources as we claim, we've actually been there. I don't think the footage is real. But I think we were on the moon. I don't know about the footage. It's pretty ... pretty wild."

So DeChambeau believes: the moon landing happened - only the iconic images the world saw he thinks were staged. A distinction that is hardly less controversial than the complete denial of the event itself. After all, it implicitly accuses thousands of NASA employees involved - including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Alan Shepard - of participating in a global deception.

Alan Shepard hits golf balls on the moon

Physics student believes in interdimensional beings

Particularly piquant: DeChambeau studied physics at the University of the Pacific and publicly cultivates the image of a rational, science-minded sportsman. His other statements in the podcast put additional cracks in this image.

When asked about the topic of extraterrestrial life, DeChambeau showed a different side: "I do believe that there are interdimensional beings out there - for sure. I believe in UAPs [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena]. UAPs, UFOs - I think they're more than just aliens from another world. Maybe aliens from another world. But I think there's more to it than that. There's a lot more to this story."

Difficult moment for a LIV professional under pressure

The timing of the statements is extremely unfavorable for DeChambeau. Shortly before, he had missed the cut at the PGA Championship - after a similar result at the Masters. This was the first time since 2017 that he had failed to make it into the weekend at two consecutive major tournaments.

Added to this is the uncertain future of LIV Golf: after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced that it would stop funding the tournament series at the end of 2026, the league is facing a possible end. DeChambeau, one of its most prominent representatives, is correspondingly disoriented: "I'm in this weird in-between space right now and don't know what to do: Content creation or professional golf. I really don't know right now."

However, the step into the creator world is no longer an abstract option for DeChambeau. His YouTube channel has 2.7 million subscribers - and when asked which is more lucrative, golf or content creation, he replied succinctly: "I'd say they're about the same. When you get to that level, they're very, very similar."

His next golf appearance is scheduled for the end of May: at the LIV Golf Korea event from May 28 to 31 at the Asiad Country Club in Busan, South Korea.

Controversial reactions in the golf world

DeChambeau's statements on the moon landing have caused considerable displeasure in the golf community. The general tenor in social networks and fan forums was clear: many long-standing supporters were deeply disappointed and publicly declared that they were giving up their sympathy for the athlete. Not only the content of the statements was criticized, but also the timing - shortly after two weak tournament appearances.

It remains to be seen whether DeChambeau sees the waves he has made as damage to his image or as proof of his reach as a personality beyond sport. After all, as a content creator, he also thrives on attention - and he has undoubtedly secured it with this podcast appearance.