Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau was hailed by United States teammates as an explosive X-factor, gladiator and showman on Tuesday as controversy erupted around him at the Ryder Cup.

It began when the 32-year-old LIV Golf star, whose interview session at Bethpage Black was postponed to Thursday after the opening ceremony was advanced to Wednesday, fired the latest verbal salvo in a war of words with Europe star Rory McIlroy.

"Just his golfing ability alone is an X-factor for our team, but also, he's a really fiery player," US captain Keegan Bradley said of DeChambeau.

"We have a lot of calm, mellow guys so we need the energy from Bryson and he brings that every day in practice rounds, the team room and hopefully in the tournament."

At the Masters, where McIlroy won his first

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