Rory McIlroy can't resist cheeky dig at Bryson DeChambeau over uncertain Tour future

Rory McIlroy has taken a fresh swipe at Bryson DeChambeau, warning the American he is "running out of options" after LIV Golf's collapse.

DeChambeau's competitive future is uncertain after the breakaway tour confirmed last week that it would wind down operations after five years because of a lack of financial support.

LIV had hoped to continue with a 2.0 version of the league in 2027, and it was generally assumed DeChambeau would be key to making it happen.

But it appears the two-time major champion never officially committed to the league, leaving the proposed new financiers with no option to walk away due to a lack of player support.

DeChambeau broke his silence on the subject on Sunday with a 289-word statement, but stopped short of clarifying where he will play competitive golf in 2027.

The 33-year-old is eligible to apply for full membership of the DP World Tour owing to his 2024 U.S. Open win at Pinehurst.

He may have to wait at least a year to return to the PGA Tour, although it would not be particularly surprising if officials from the North American circuit reopened a returning member programme next January, similar to the one Brooks Koepka took advantage of.

DeChambeau, who will play in Gary Player's Nedbank Golf Challenge next month, has also made it clear he would be willing to combine a schedule of playing in "tournaments that actually want me" alongside creating content for his hugely popular YouTube channel. 

"I think a name like Bryson DeChambeau and everything he brings with him, good and bad, he brings eyeballs, which is a good thing for tournaments," said McIlroy.

"Honestly, I'm certainly not in his shoes, and nor would I ever want to be, but it doesn't seem like he's got many options.

"You know, if he wants to play competitive golf, it doesn't seem like he's got many options."

McIlroy isn't the only player to offer their opinion on DeChambeau's future plans. 

On Monday, England's Eddie Pepperell the Chipping Forecast that DeChambeau would be "stupid" to turn down the European tour's offer. 

McIlroy was speaking to reporters in Dubai ahead of the DP World Tour's season finale. 

The six-time major champ is attempting to win the Race to Dubai for an eighth time. 

It would see him draw level with Colin Montgomerie's haul of eight. 

McIlroy trails Spain's Eugenio Chacarra by 533 points in the standings but the final event, at Jumeirah Golf Estates, offers 2,000 points to the winner. 

As many as nine players can still clinch the title, including McIlroy's Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm and former rival Patrick Reed. 

"I'm very excited to be back here, very excited to be in contention for the eighth," said the 37-year-old.

"I made some ground up last week, maybe not as much as I wanted, but I felt like it was a step in the right direction.

"Getting back to a place where I played, I played well and I had a lot of success, even last year in the play-off with Matt, it's been a course that's been very good to me over the years, and I have a lot of experience on it and a lot of experience up at the top end of the leaderboard."

McIlroy also spoke of his pride at the longevity of his career. 

"I think this will be the 15th or 16th year in a row that I will have finished the year in the top 10 in the world rankings," said the world number two.

"There may be a couple others that have done that before. Yeah, I'm very proud of that. I think that's maybe an underrated part of careers, is that longevity piece.

"I was very lucky to start so young and get my tour card at 18, and I've stayed pretty much injury-free throughout my career.

"And I've kept working and trying to get better at certain aspects of the game and always tried to see weaknesses or be critical of myself and try to get better at them."