"He loves a good kill shot" - Golf insider explains why Rory McIlroy called out Bryson DeChambeau

Masters champion Rory McIlroy got "joy" out of criticising Bryson DeChambeau during The Open Championship last week because he knew his comments would travel, according to golf reporter and author Alan Shipnuck. 

DeChambeau was assessed a two-shot penalty after Friday's second round at Royal Birkdale and the American's ensuing antics overshadowed the 154th edition of the major. 

The 32-year-old American was involved in a heated back-and-forth with rules officials as he pleaded his case and reportedly threatened to get US president Donald Trump involved. 

The situation led to a delay in the publication of round three tee times and McIlroy was the only high-profile player to put his head above the parapet and criticise DeChambeau. 

McIlroy, 37, said DeChambeau held the tournament "hostage" and also described the two-time U.S. Open champion's behaviour as "performative" and "for attention". 

Shipnuck told the latest edition of the Dan on Golf show that McIlroy is in his "don't give a f--- era". 

"Rory's always been open," he said when asked if he was surprised McIlroy was so critical of the LIV Golf recruit. 

"He's always been forthright. Now he's in the DGAF era and he's just letting it fly. 

"Also, Rory's very online. He consumes the golf media, he's on the socials, he loves a good kill shot, he knows that's going to travel and he gets joy out of that.

"So, yes, he's expressing his true self and he's being real but also he f---ing loves to just turn the knife a little bit and I respect that.

"I mean, we always rip these guys for being robots, for being automatons, for whatever. And Rory gives it you hot and fresh. I thought that was tremendous."

DeChambeau ultimately finished in a share of 14th at the final men's major of the year, six shots behind champion Ryan Fox.

After he was given the penalty, the golfer refused to speak to the media about the situation. 

On Thursday, DeChambeau approached the topic for the first time after the opening round of LIV Golf UK. 

DeChambeau said he wished that he could've put up a stronger challenge over the weekend. 

"There are moments of adversity in everybody’s life, and I was passionate about what I believed and thought was right," he said. 

"For me, it's now in a place that it is what it is, and you keep moving through it. You keep moving past it."

As for McIlroy, the Northern Irishman revealed after the Open that he is lacking enthusiasm for playing on the PGA Tour.

Aside from the four majors, McIlroy has made seven starts on the PGA Tour in 2026. 

PGA Tour members are required to make 15 starts a season and McIlroy is set to miss the number. 

Though he is likely to escape punishment thanks to a little-known rule in the players' handbook. 

Shipnuck said he believes McIlroy will come to the realisation that he didn't play enough in 2026.

"I think Rory's going to realise he didn't play enough this year and just wasn't sharp enough," he said. 

"Any year when you win the Masters is by definition a great season but otherwise he's going to probably get skunked this year.

"He does have pride [but] he just doesn't want to show up and finish 17th. I think he needs a few more reps."

He added: "A couple of years ago he played way too many tournaments, he's been cutting back ever since [but] I think the pendulum is going to swing back in the other direction [and] he'll add a few more, just so he can be sharp. 

"One thing Rory doesn't want to do is tee off early on a Sunday morning. 

"If you're actually going to go through the effort of showing up and playing you want to have a chance to win.

"I just don't think he gave himself a chance this year enough and I'll think he'll realise that."