SerpApi.Org
The Open had no shortage of compelling storylines, but the McIlroy-DeChambeau exchange garnered most of the attention. But when Rory McIlroy‘s week at Royal Birkdale wrapped up on Sunday, July 19, something unexpected happened.
During his press conference, the four-time major champion invited Bryson DeChambeau to join the field at this year’s Amgen Irish Open.
He was asked during the interaction with reporters about the possibilities of having Bryson at the Irish Open. He said, “I think that would be great for the tournament, absolutely. Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open, yeah, it would be great for the tournament.”
The Irish Open is McIlroy’s home event and a staple of the DP World Tour calendar. This year, it’s heading to Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare, in September.
Interestingly, DeChambeau has never played in it, though, as his schedule is largely dictated by his LIV Golf contract, which limits him to the Saudi-backed circuit. The only other tournaments on his calendar are the four majors.
When McIlroy Criticized DeChambeau at The Open
As McIlroy seems to be friendly with DeChambeau now, that wasn’t the story a few days ago. The conflict started on Friday, July 17, when DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty from the R&A for unintentionally improving his swing area in the tall grass during his second shot on the fifth hole. What followed his round was an eight-minute review.
McIlroy was in the players’ lounge watching it all unfold, and frustration quickly set in. He spoke about DeChambeau during Saturday’s press conference and said, “I think there’s no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing.“
He added, “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… I think a lot of it’s performative.”
“I think a lot of it is for attention. To hold the tournament hostage like that and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look,” McIlroy further said.
However, DeChambeau wasn’t interested in fueling the fire. When asked about McIlroy’s comments, he simply said nothing. The rest of the field, though, had plenty to say. Sam Burns, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, and Scottie Scheffler all came to DeChambeau’s defense. As for who won the McIlroy-DeChambeau exchange? That’s up for debate.
Meanwhile, the Open Championship leaderboard tells a different story. At the moment, McIlroy sits tied for 40th, while DeChambeau is holding at T14. Neither is having a particularly great round.
Interestingly, McIlroy carded two birdies and a bogey on the front, then added two more birdies on the back alongside a bogey and a double, with one hole still to play.
DeChambeau carded one bogey on the ninth, then added a double bogey and two birdies on the back with four holes remaining. All signs point to McIlroy being ready to put their feud to bed. Whether DeChambeau actually accepts his Irish Open invitation, though, remains to be seen.
The Open Championship’s most gripping narrative may have been settled not on the leaderboard but in a press conference. What began as a contentious rules dispute and evolved into a public spat between two of golf’s biggest names took an unexpected turn when McIlroy extended the hand of friendship.
Interestingly, his invitation to DeChambeau for the Amgen Irish Open suggests the two rivals may be ready to move past the tension. Yet whether DeChambeau accepts remains an open question, one that could reshape their relationship moving forward.
