Bryson DeChambeau not anticipating more than one Ryder Cup match against Rory McIlroy

Bryson DeChambeau says he does not anticipate coming up against Rory McIlroy more than once at the 2025 Ryder Cup.

25 Sep 2025

Bryson DeChambeau says he does not anticipate facing Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Ryder Cup more than once.

The big-hitting American is back on golf's biggest stage for the first time since helping the United States deliver an emphatic 19-9 victory in Wisconsin four years ago.

DeChambeau missed the 2023 trip to Italy after he underwhelmed in the major championships and switched to the PIF-backed LIV Golf.

He qualified for Keegan Bradley's side on merit, delivering one win and five top-10 finishes in the majors over the past two years.

His major championship victory, of course, arrived at the 2024 US Open where he held his nerve on the 72nd hole at Pinehurst No.2 following McIlroy's dramatic late collapse.

It sparked a compelling rivalry between the pair, with McIlroy eventually getting one back on the king of content at the 2025 Masters.

McIlroy played in the final group with DeChambeau and defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death play-off.

DeChambeau said McIlroy did not speak to him at all during the final round at Augusta.

They both took part in an exhibition match last December and exchanged good-natured gibes.

But in recent months, DeChambeau has attempted to renew their rivalry by promising to chirp in McIlroy's ear should he face the Northern Irishman.

He has promised to bring "a tsunami" of fans.

For his part, McIlroy said DeChambeau only ever mentions his name to get attention.

DeChambeau told reporters on the eve of the Ryder Cup he has huge respect for the multiple major champion.

Though he doesn't believe it's likely they will face each-other more than once.

"Look, I think rivalries are good for the game of golf, and albeit I have the ultimate respect for Rory as a player," DeChambeau said.

"It's going to be fun to go up against him this week, whether it's against him directly or through other players. I think it going to be a fun challenge this week.

"Would I love to go up against him? Yeah. It would be a lot of fun. Is it going to happen? It's not likely. I mean, maybe once. You never know.

"I don't know if there's planning behind the scenes or whatnot. But look, he's a fierce competitor, a great competitor, but one that I would love the opportunity to play against this week."

"Just want to put blue points on the board"

McIlroy downplayed the rivalry when he spoke to reporters on Thursday morning.

"It's so easy to play into narratives this week and to get swept up in this whole rivalries and Ryder Cup and whatever it is.

"All I want to do is go and try and put blue points on the board. I don't care who it's against. If I come up against Bryson at some point, I think that's great.

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