SerpApi.Org
Rory McIlroy's scathing criticism of Bryson DeChambeau's conduct should surprise nobody, given the long-simmering tension between the two players.
The Masters champion took aim at the American following the two-stroke penalty he received after his second round at The Open. DeChambeau was penalized for a rules violation on the fifth hole at Royal Birkdale, and his reaction left a lot to be desired.
Upon being informed after his round, he was driven back to the scene of the incident, where he was witnessed arguing with R&A officials, who held firm on the penalty that saw him drop from one shot to three shots off the lead at the halfway point.
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The drawn-out dispute delayed the release of third-round tee times until late in the evening, drawing criticism from numerous players. McIlroy was among those who spoke out, accusing DeChambeau of holding the tournament "hostage."
He also labeled his behavior "performative" and pointedly remarked that he was "not particularly fond" of the LIV Golf star.
It is no secret that the two are far from friendly. At the 2024 U.S. Open, a late collapse from McIlroy handed DeChambeau the chance to swoop in and claim the title.
A crestfallen McIlroy left the course without congratulating his rival, though he later extended his wishes via social media. Later that year, both men participated in the Showdown event in Las Vegas, where McIlroy made his intentions crystal clear, declaring: "I'd like to go up against Bryson and try to get him back for what he did to me at the U.S. Open."
DeChambeau's response — "Well, to be fair, you kinda did it to yourself" — didn't go down well with McIlroy, who is thought to have considered it cruel. Then, at last year's Masters, McIlroy gave DeChambeau the silent treatment as he focused on finally claiming the Green Jacket.
DeChambeau, whose challenge fell apart on the back nine, was asked about his final-round playing partner. He said: "No idea, he didn't talk to me once all day."
McIlroy hit back, saying: "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."
This most recent dispute stemmed from DeChambeau's penalty for improving the area of his backswing by stepping on a large clump of tall grass. The general consensus is that R&A officials were justified in issuing him a two-stroke penalty.
McIlroy was among those who believed the penalty was deserved. He said: "I was watching it live. I was up in the players' lounge watching it with a few other players and as soon as he made the step into the ball we all sort of looked at each other, and we were like, 'That didn't seem right.'
"Then when I heard that he was called in by the rules officials it was pretty obvious for why. I think there's no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing.
"Whether it was careless or whether it was intentional, I don't think it matters. Hopefully, it was careless, but I think the two-shot penalty was justified for sure."
