Bryson DeChambeau’s ‘cruel and unnecessary’ 10-word message that provoked Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy’s rollercoaster of a Masters final round was witnessed firsthand by Bryson DeChambeau, whose past comment could have led to the lack of dialogue on course

Bryson DeChambeau was handed a front-row seat to Rory McIlroy’s jaw-dropping Masters win, though the complete lack of dialogue between playing partners may hint at an underlying tension.

The LIV Golf star entered the final round at Augusta National firmly in contention, and while a double-bogey at the first for McIlroy looked to ignite a historic contest, DeChambeau couldn’t oblige.

McIlroy eventually pulled far clear of the stuttering and out-of-character American – who carded a final round 75 to finish T5 at -7 – and though he didn’t make it easy for himself, eventually ended the day shouldering a Green Jacket after a playoff win versus Justin Rose.

Comments made in the wake of a thrilling Masters Sunday did, however, hint at a not altogether straightforward relationship between the pair. DeChambeau was asked about how McIlroy felt leading up to the triumph, to which the 31-year-old replied: “No idea. Didn’t talk to me once all day.”

DeChambeau did add his admiration for McIlroy afterwards, eventually citing the achievement as “incredible” on Instagram. But his earlier remark appears to have been made with some purpose, and a comment spoken at the Showdown in Las Vegas last December now seems indicative of some friction.

Near the tail end of 2024, the Showdown – a clash that saw the PGA Tour’s finest and LIV Golf’s worthiest do battle – witnessed a telling range exchange between McIlroy and DeChambeau.

McIlroy, who teamed up with Scottie Scheffler to face DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, made a joke whilst swinging beside his adversary, stating in jest: “I’d like to go up against Bryson and try to get him back for what he did to me at the US Open.” A simple quip from the American was issued in response: “Well, to be fair, you kinda did it to yourself.”