\t\t\t\tCould we see a Bryson DeChambeau vs Rory McIlroy showdown a little sooner than expected?<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy is \u201cnot particularly fond\u201d of Bryson DeChambeau. <\/p>\n
McIlroy accused the Californian of holding the Open Championship \u201chostage\u201d during that dramatic rules fiasco<\/a> at Royal Birkdale. \u201cI think a lot of it\u2019s performative,\u201d McIlroy told reporters in Southport of his rival\u2019s actions. \u201cI think a lot of it\u2019s for attention.\u201d<\/p>\n Those opinions, however, do not mean that McIlroy wouldn\u2019t acknowledge DeChambeau\u2019s presence as a significant boost to his home open. The two-time Masters champion was asked at Birkdale about the growing rumors that DeChambeau will tee it up at September\u2019s Amgen Irish Open. <\/p>\n \u201cHaving someone like Bryson at the Irish Open would be great for the tournament,\u201d McIlroy said.<\/p>\n DeChambeau has not played in Ireland since the JP McManus Pro-Am in 2022, held at Adare Manor, next year\u2019s Ryder Cup venue. But this Irish Open will be staged at the Doonberg course owned by Donald Trump<\/a>, with whom DeChambeau is close friends. The American serves on the President\u2019s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a possibility, therefore, that DeChambeau could make a surprise return to the DP World Tour this fall and set up a compelling showdown with McIlroy in County Clare. He certainly didn\u2019t shut the door on a possible appearance when asked about the Irish Open last week.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it fits in the schedule, I\u2019d love to go play,\u201d DeChambeau said at JCB Golf & Country Club, where he finished third at LIV Golf UK<\/a>. \u201cI love playing internationally, and that\u2019s what we do here at LIV. Anywhere I can go to support great golf in a good place, I\u2019m all for. So we\u2019ll see if it fits in and it makes sense for the schedule. That\u2019s really all I have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n