Bryson DeChambeau sends Rory McIlroy pre-Masters warning

Masters hopeful Bryson DeChambeau says it would be great if he can continue to have a rivalry with Rory McIlroy. 

The 32-year-old American and 36-year-old Northern Irishman have been at opposite ends of golf's so-called civil war since LIV Golf's noisy introduction to the sport four years ago. 

McIlroy, of course, led the charge against LIV as the unofficial spokesperson of the PGA Tour whilst DeChambeau has been central in legitimising the PIF-backed league competitively and commercially. 

DeChambeau, who was among a contingent of 11 LIV players who sued the PGA Tour, drew first blood in their rivalry on the course when he produced one of the great up-and-downs in major championship history on the 72nd hole of the 2024 U.S. Open to pip McIlroy to the title. 

It remains one of the bitterest defeats of McIlroy's career and an enduring image from that major, held at Pinehurst, was of a dumbstruck, crestfallen Ulsterman stood with his hands on his hips in the scorer's hut as he watched yet another victory slip through his fingers. 

He had led by two shots with three holes remaining. 

McIlroy decided not to partake in any media interviews in the immediate aftermath of the defeat and was filmed chucking his clubs into the back of his rental car and speeding away from the players' car park. 

When he resurfaced a few weeks later at the Scottish Open, McIlroy said the defeat was "probably the toughest of my professional career". 

Last April, McIlroy played alongside DeChambeau in the final round of the 2025 Masters.

McIlroy threatened to implode again but got over the line on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff against his Ryder Cup teammate, Justin Rose. 

DeChambeau briefly held the lead early on but couldn't recover after finding the water at the 11th hole. 

"It was a great learning lesson," DeChambeau told reporters in Augusta on Tuesday afternoon when asked for his perspective on what transpired only 12 months ago. 

"Leading or being tied for the lead and having the lead, that last group final round, gave me a lot of perspective on it. 

"Then losing it and having things not go my way as they finished out and Rory completed the grand slam.

"Like I said, last year he earned it, right? It was really cool to see in person."

He added: "Secondarily, I think, as I reflect back on it, the one thing I can take from it is I can put myself in those positions. The more I put myself in those positions, the better opportunities I'm going to have to win. 

"It's just been a gradual learning process. You never know what this week may bring, but I certainly hope to give it my all and put myself back in that position because I want to feel it again."

And he hopes there are many more duels against McIlroy in the future. 

"I mean, it's great if we can continue to have a rivalry," he said. 

"I don't see any problem with that. If anything, it kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf.

"Do I respect him as an individual? 100 percent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely. 

"There's no question about it. But I think that's what's so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him.

"It's one of those things like I got him at Pinehurst, he got me here, and I hope there's more of those to come because it's great for the game."

McIlroy has spoken frequently about the final round of the 2025 Masters over the last 12 months. 

Last week, McIlroy finally lifted a lid on the disagreement he had with DeChambeau on the ninth hole at Augusta. 

Both players had makeable birdie putts but each wanted to putt first. 

McIlroy stood his ground, urging the American to get a rules official involved. 

DeChambeau opted against doing so, electing to let McIlroy play first. 

McIlroy explained he felt the moment was crucial to his success.