Rory McIlroy has increased tensions with Bryson DeChambeau ahead of the Ryder Cup starting next week.

The Team Europe star has accused his Team USA counterpart of using other names to get attention before the main event gets going in New York.

I know Rory McIlroy better than most and there are things fans don’t realise about Ryder Cup star

After weeks and months of build-up, the 2025 Ryder Cup is on the horizon.

The two teams are set to clash at Bethpage Black, with Team Europe seeking to defend the title they brilliantly claimed in Rome.

McIlroy and co were far too good for their American opponents last time, but it is expected to be much closer this time around.

And ahead of the contest, McIlroy and DeChambeau have been engaged in a war of words.

The LIV Golf star started it at the premiere for Happy Gilmore 2 where he suggested that he would be constantly on McIlroy, who he worked with on set.

What have DeChambeau and McIlroy said about each other?

He said: “I’ll be chirping in [McIlroy’s] ear this time. Now, if we go up against each other, I mean, you can be sure of it.

In response, McIlroy dismissed DeChambeau’s comments.

Speaking to The Guardian, he said: “I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people.

“That is basically what I think of that. To get attention he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”

The Ryder Cup is usually a spicy affair, but with this McIlroy and DeChambeau rivalry, things could be ramped up that little bit more.

The pair have been exchanging barbs in the press

4

The pair have been exchanging barbs in the pressCredit: Getty

Away from that, McIlroy is expecting something to kick off at the Ryder Cup.

Expanding on that, he remarked: “I think it’s inevitable something is going to happen in New York.

“It might not involve me but it is inevitable that something will happen, whether like in Rome last time or something else.

“I just think when you go into that environment and you are there for five or six days and the crowd are on you for eight hours, so many days in a row.

“It is inevitable it will get to someone or get to us as a group at some point.

“We are just going to have to do a really good job of managing that, having each other’s backs and protecting each other.”

McIlroy has enjoyed a few great successes at the Ryder Cup

4

McIlroy has enjoyed a few great successes at the Ryder CupCredit: GettyKOHLER, WI - SEPTEMBER 26: Bryson DeChambeau of Team United States squirts champagne after their victory in the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America)

4

DeChambeau has equally enjoyed some top Ryder Cup moments if less frequentCredit: GettyWhat is the McIlroy and DeChambeau rivalry?

Strangely, McIlroy and DeChambeau haven’t actually ran into each other that much at the Ryder Cup.

The American has only competed in two events in his career – in 2018 and 2021.

McIlroy was at both, but they never came up against each other.

But away from the Ryder Cup, the duo have been in battle since the 2024 US Open.

On that occasion, McIlroy looked nailed on to claim the title until the closing holes on the final day.

The Northern Irishman produced a magnificent round four, with a of eight under par, but he made three bogeys in the final four holes.

McIlroy was left gutted by his late collapse

4

McIlroy was left gutted by his late collapseCredit: Getty

One of the bogeys saw him miss from two feet.

This brought DeChambeau right back into it, and on the final hole, with McIlroy watching on, the American grabbed the par he needed to win his second US Open title and leave McIlroy devastated.

The frostiness continued into The Masters this year, where McIlroy finally claimed the green jacket to complete the Grand Slam.

There was a time where DeChambeau was well in contention to win before falling away, and after the contest, he revealed that McIlroy barely spoke to him.

And since then, barbs have been exchanged, so it could get fiery at the Ryder Cup.