Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy have had many battles, but the American has made it clear that there will be many more at the Ryder Cup when it comes round
Bryson DeChambeau has warned Rory McIlroy that he will be “chirping in his ear” when the Ryder Cup comes round. Both players endured a frustrating weekend at the Open Championship, finishing eight shots and seven shots behind eventual winner Scottie Scheffler, respectively.
The action at Royal Portrush brought an end to the majors for 2025. All eyes will soon be on the Ryder Cup, which begins at Bethpage Black on September 26.
Earlier in the season, McIlroy clinched his career Grand Slam at Augusta. During the final round, golf fans may remember DeChambeau accusing the world No. 2 of blanking him while they were playing together.
DeChambeau has now revealed a cunning and chatty plan he has for McIlroy in the event they are paired together again in New York this Autumn. Speaking to PEOPLE at the Happy Gilmore 2 New York premier, DeChambeau said: “I’ll be chirping in his ear this time.
“Now, if we go up against each other, I mean, you can be sure of it. I’ll get into his ear a little bit.”
The Californian sounded unhappy when he was interviewed after McIlroy’s moment of glory in April. Beginning the final round just two shots behind the five-time Major winner, DeChambeau played alongside the Holywood native.
However, he fell away throughout the round, finishing T5, four shots behind McIlroy, who ousted Justin Rose in a play-off to win his fifth major. When asked how McIlroy was feeling throughout the round, he bluntly replied: “He didn’t talk to me once all day. He was just like – just being focused, I guess. It’s not me, though.”
McIlroy was rather bemused when his rival’s comments were put back to him a month later. Before the PGA Championship, McIlroy said: “I don’t know what he was expecting. We’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not going to try to be his best mate out there.
“Look, everyone approaches the game different ways. Yeah, like I was focused on myself and what I needed to do. That’s really all that it was. It wasn’t anything against him – it’s just I felt that’s what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.”
DeChambeau’s display at Royal Portrush was enough to convince Team USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley that he warranted a place in their squad. He endured the worst possible start, hitting an opening 78 that left him tied for 144th and ruing his worst round in a major ever.
He followed it up with a six-under-par 65 on the Friday, a Saturday 68 and, most impressively, a bogey-free 64 in the final round. While he was pleased with his fight back, he did think about what might have been, were it not for that shocking start.
DeChambeau said: “If I would’ve played well the first round, I would’ve had a chance to go up against Scottie [Scheffler] and go head to head.
“That was the whole goal and didn’t happen. But the last three rounds, I played some stellar golf. I didn’t give up, gave it all I had, and showed the fans that you never give up.”