Rory McIlroy “messed up” with Bryson DeChambeau comments, says former agent

Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler believes Rory McIlroy “messed up” by admitting he is “not particularly fond” of Bryson DeChambeau following their latest flashpoint at The Open.

The former agent of McIlroy claims the Northern Irishman’s criticism of the American at last week’s 154th Open at Royal Birkdale was  “unnecessary”, even if he understands why DeChambeau can frustrate fellow players.

McIlroy’s comments came after DeChambeau became embroiled in one of the biggest controversies in Open Championship history when he was handed a two-shot penalty for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing in thick rough at the par-4 5th during his second round.

The ruling, which took R&A officials more than an hour to reach, left DeChambeau visibly frustrated. 

The LIV Golf star even suggested he could withdraw, before delaying confirmation of his participation until extremely late on Friday, a decision that forced organisers to push back the release of third-round tee times. 

Although DeChambeau eventually decided to play on, the episode drew sharp criticism from McIlroy the next day. 

“I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson,” said McIlroy, who fully backed the two-shot penalty DeChambeau received by R&A officials. 

“I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention.”

McIlroy also criticised DeChambeau for keeping players, officials and volunteers waiting while he decided whether to continue competing, saying it was not a good look to “hold the tournament hostage”.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler also weighed in on the episode ahead of this week's 3M Open, saying he has “never been a fan of personal jabs” when asked about McIlroy's comments towards DeChambeau.

Speaking to BetVictor Online Casino, Chandler, who worked as the Northern Irishman's agent from 2007 to 2011, said he did not believe the delayed tee times were the real reason behind McIlroy’s comments.

Instead, he suggested it was simply another example of McIlroy being willing to speak his mind, but felt the six-time major champion went too far by making his feelings about DeChambeau personal.

“I don’t think the tee time delay is what drove Rory to be like he was,” Chandler said. 

“Rory is Rory. Rory likes to give his opinion and he messed up because saying he wasn’t fond of Bryson was unnecessary.

“In America, Rory isn’t as popular as Bryson so there was a lot of negativity directed towards Rory there, but Bryson is performative and he is showing off.”

Chandler believes there is genuine tension between McIlroy and DeChambeau, but stopped short of describing it as one of golf’s great rivalries.

“Bryson obviously rubs Rory up the wrong way,” Chandler continued. 

“They’re not mates and they’ve had a couple of head-to-heads. These things happen in all sports but I think it’s a good thing.

“There’s nothing wrong with rivalries but I wouldn’t say it is a rivalry because Bryson is nowhere near as good as Rory is. If Bryson had won more majors and was in Rory’s face all the time it would be different, but he’s not. His record in majors has been disastrous.

“But golf needs rivals. We had it with Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. That was a proper rivalry. Golf needs that.”

While DeChambeau, 32, is a two-time U.S. Open champion, McIlroy’s résumé includes the career Grand Slam, six major titles, a record three FedEx Cup titles and seven Race to Dubai crowns.

Chandler also questioned DeChambeau’s refusal to speak to the media throughout much of the championship, believing it set a poor example despite the American’s huge popularity on YouTube.

“I think he set a bad trend by not speaking to the media,” Chandler said. “I’m not sure why he didn’t speak to them on the first day. I couldn’t work out what his beef was.

“He’s so outgoing with the young fans but people want to see him interviewed, then he doesn’t speak for four days.

“He likes speaking on YouTube but he’s got his channel and audience because of what golf has given him. He delivers interesting content on there and people like it, but you have to carry that on for mainstream media.”

Chandler also addressed reports that DeChambeau considered contacting U.S. President Donald Trump in an attempt to overturn his controversial penalty. 

Although the claim has not been officially confirmed, Chandler believes any suggestion of calling his good friend Trump was probably tongue-in-cheek and doubts the U.S. President would have become involved, especially given his ongoing situation with the R&A. 

“I have no idea whether that was tongue in cheek or not,” Chandler said. 

“I met Bryson when he first turned pro and he certainly wasn’t the YouTube star he is now, so I have no idea whether he’s doing that for a good line.

“He probably would pick up the phone to Trump and perhaps would ask him, but he would ask him in a joking sort of way.

“I think President Trump wouldn’t have gotten involved because if he did he would never get The Open. He wants The Open at Turnberry and the R&A are wrong not to give it to him.

“Trump respects golf. He plays golf properly. He plays a lot of golf in his spare time. It’s obviously quite close to his heart. I think he’s already worked out that if he’s too controversial, he’ll never get The Open at Turnberry.”

Chandler also suggested a future Irish Open at Trump Doonbeg could act as a stepping stone towards Turnberry once again hosting golf’s oldest major.

“Well I hope he does go to the Irish Open because that for him is a practice round for The Open,” Chandler said. “If he gets it right at Doonbeg then you might see that he gets The Open within two or three years.

“There will be massive security for him in Ireland like anywhere he goes. He’ll only come for one of the days. If he turns up and presents the trophy, imagine what it will do for the sponsors.”

DeChambeau eventually finished the 154th Open tied for 14th on 4-under par, six shots behind champion Ryan Fox, while McIlroy endured a disappointing week, ending the championship in a tie for 40th on 1-under par. 

While the debate surrounding DeChambeau's penalty and subsequent conduct is unlikely to disappear any time soon, Chandler's verdict is clear. McIlroy was entitled to voice his opinion, but publicly admitting he was "not particularly fond" of his rival was, in the former agent's view, an unnecessary step too far.