Bryson DeChambeau was in the front row for Rory McIlroy’s stunning Masters win, though the two rivals not sharing a conversation throughout the day hinted at an underlying tension
Bryson DeChambeau had an opportunity to observe Rory McIlroy’s historic Masters victory up close, though their lack of conversation as playing partners indicated tension beneath the surface. Entering the final round with high hopes, DeChambeau found himself overshadowed by McIlroy, especially after the Northern Irishman’s double-bogey at the first left the door ajar.
The American struggled, ending with a final round score of 75 that left him T5 at -7, far from the top. In contrast, McIlroy overcame his challenges and, following a playoff win against Justin Rose, finally secured a Green Jacket. Some post-victory comments suggested an underlying strain between the two golfers, however.
When asked about McIlroy’s feelings leading up to the triumph, DeChambeau mentioned: “No idea. Didn’t talk to me once all day.” After the dust had settled, DeChambeau did acknowledge McIlroy’s win, referring to it as “incredible” on Instagram. Yet, his initial remark carried some significance, hinting at a degree of unease, especially considering an earlier encounter last December.
The Showdown in Las Vegas featured the finest from LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, and a sharp retort from DeChambeau perhaps raised tensions between himself and McIlroy.
While partnering with Scottie Scheffler to take on DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, McIlroy made a joke on the range. He joked: “I’d like to go up against Bryson and try to get him back for what he did to me at the US Open.” DeChambeau’s dry retort was swift: “Well, to be fair, you kinda did it to yourself.”
According to the Irish Independent, this exchange didn’t go down well with McIlroy, with the five-time major champion finding the American’s counter-joking particularly cutting and quite possibly igniting his competitive fire before the Masters.
This back-and-forth harks to the events that unfolded at Pinehurst No. 2 the previous summer, where McIlroy suffered a meltdown whilst leading.
On the cusp of victory at -8 and only four holes to go, he faltered spectacularly, essentially handing over the US Open title to DeChambeau with a trio of bogeys, reports the Mirror US.
That blow to McIlroy’s chances for a win surely didn’t do any favours for the camaraderie – or lack thereof – between him and DeChambeau, especially after everything that went down at the contentious 2023 Ryder Cup.
Emotions were already running high as Team USA and Team Europe squared off on the Roman greens of the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. But it was the obnoxious celebration of Joe LaCava, Team USA’s caddie, which really got under McIlroy’s skin as he was lining up a putt midway through the event.
Things escalated quickly from there – a fracas erupted in the car park following the day’s play. McIlroy found himself being pulled out of a heated altercation with DeChambeau’s team by his fellow golfer Shane Lowry.
At the heart of it, we see McIlroy championing the PGA Tour and DeChambeau flying the flag for LIV Golf – two stars walking entirely different fairways.
There’s no explicit animosity between them, as DeChambeau did comment on McIlroy’s crucial double-bogey at the 13th during the Masters with a display of empathy, admitting: “I wanted to cry for him.”
Yet, DeChambeau’s pointed remark regarding McIlroy’s lack of communication with him – coupled with the infamous Showdown exchange and earlier tensions on the green – has sown the seeds for what might just grow into a full-blown rivalry.
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