One of golf’s biggest stories over the past couple of years has been the great rivalry between Masters champion Rory McIlroy and reigning United States Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. Both are multiple major champions now (McIlroy also won the 2011 United States Open, 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship, and 2014 British Open, and DeChambeau’s prior major came at 2020 United States Open), and both are the face of their respective tours. McIlroy represents the PGA Tour and DeChambeau represents the LIV.
Sometimes rivalries do not have any trash talk. That is apparently what we did not see at Augusta last month. There was a lot of hype when McIlroy and DeChambeau were in the final pairing for the first major of the year. Heading into Sunday, McIlroy had a two stoke lead over DeChambeau. The level of attention was high because McIlroy was going for the career grand slam, which he eventually accomplished, and the fact many were wondering how McIlroy would perform after struggling down the stretch with his putter while competing at the 2024 United States Open.
In the final 18 holes in Georgia, McIlroy lost his lead to Justin Rose of England, but then beat Rose on the 73rd hole. As for DeChambeau, he finished his round at +1 and was fifth overall, and four strokes back of McIlroy at -7.
During the round there was a lot of time for DeChambeau and McIlroy to communicate with one another. But on Friday, there was some interesting news from DeChambeau about what happened (or didn’t happen) in the final round. When he was asked how McIlroy was feeling, DeChambeau responded according to Tim Schmitt of Golfweek, “No idea. Didn’t talk to me once all day.”
It will be interesting to see future matchups between DeChambeau and McIlroy and if there are any conversations. Sometimes when nothing is said, as in this case, it becomes more of a story, than when communication does take place.
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