[PHOTO: Richard Heathcote]
One of the most beloved parts of the Ryder Cup is the chippiness. While pros play their cards close to the chest most of the year, the Ryder Cup offers a biennial opportunity to go all-in. Though the emotions sometimes spill over – as they did between Rory McIlroy and caddie Joe LaCava at Marco Simone in 2023 – usually the sledging remains lighthearted and fun.
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There’s been an added edge to the dialogue in the build-up to this year’s showdown at Bethpage Black, however. The anticipated reception of the rowdy New York crowds has certainly set the tone, but much of the added grit feels like the result of actual bad blood and baggage this time around. Just listen to Rory McIlroy’s latest comments on US superstar Bryson DeChambeau if you don’t believe us.
In an exclusive weekend interview with The Guardian, McIlroy was asked about DeChambeau’s claim that he intends to be “chirping” in his ear at Bethpage later this week
“I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people,” McIlroy said. “That is basically what I think of that. To get attention, he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”
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Instead of responding with a generic “that’s part of the Ryder Cup, we embrace it”, McIlroy went straight for the jugular. Echoing many of the sentiments of Brooks Koepka during his protracted feud with DeChambeau, McIlroy took aim not at Bryson the golfer, but Bryson the person. Love him or loathe him, we can all agree that DeChambeau – whether turning PGA Tour tee shots into Evil Knievel stunts, attempting trick shots in his empty mansion, slapping it around with Donald Trump or getting into it with volunteers – courts attention at every possible opportunity. Every human being has a fatal flaw or a core insecurity. From the outside looking in, this appears to be DeChambeau’s and McIlroy took dead aim.
Of course, it’s important to note the pair have history. McIlroy was one of the most outspoken critics of LIV Golf as DeChambeau made his switch and became the PGA Tour’s unofficial mouthpiece for anti-LIV talking points. McIlroy also collapsed at the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst, with DeChambeau rallying to capture his second major as the Northern Irishman made for the carpark. McIlroy returned the favour at Augusta National this April, but afterwards DeChambeau, who played alongside the eventual green jacket winner that Sunday, made public complaints about Rory not speaking to him the entire final round.
“I’m not going to try to be his best mate,” McIlory said when asked about the simmering controversy several weeks later at the PGA Championship.
We don’t know how things at Bethpage Black will shake out, but given McIlroy’s latest comments, we don’t think there’s much risk of that.
