Bryson denies rumor he refused to be grouped with Brooks at U.S. Open

Bryson DeChambeau says he was not approached by the United States Golf Association about a potential grouping with rival Brooks Koepka for the opening rounds of the U.S. Open despite a rumor suggesting otherwise.

"I would be okay with that," DeChambeau said Tuesday about playing alongside Koepka, according to ASAP Sports. "But there was never really anything that went through me."

On Tuesday morning, longtime PGA TOUR member Brad Faxon said he found that DeChambeau declined the USGA's request to pair the two Americans together.

"I found out last night that the USGA actually did call Bryson DeChambeau and his agent and asked them if they would be OK with (being paired with Koepka), and Bryson declined," Faxon said on SiriusXM Radio.

Brad Falkoff, DeChambeau's agent, said the rumor was "100% false," and USGA also confirmed that the defending U.S. Open champion was not asked, according to ESPN's Bob Harig.

It would have been rather easy for the USGA to form a group that included DeChambeau, Koepka, and Gary Woodland, as the organization tends to create themes with its opening-round groups.

Koepka also said he was not approached about a potential group that would have included the three most recent U.S. Open winners, according to ASAP Sports.

Still, DeChambeau remained hopeful that if the pair play well, they can square off in one of the final two rounds at Torrey Pines.

"I hope on the weekend we can play against each other and compete. I think it would be fun and would be great for the game."

DeChambeau begins his title defense at 4:14 p.m. ET on Thursday alongside Hideki Matsuyama and Tyler Strafaci. Koepka tees off at 10:29 a.m. with Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa.