Could we see a Bryson DeChambeau vs Rory McIlroy showdown a little sooner than expected?
Rory McIlroy is “not particularly fond” of Bryson DeChambeau.
McIlroy accused the Californian of holding the Open Championship “hostage” during that dramatic rules fiasco at Royal Birkdale. “I think a lot of it’s performative,” McIlroy told reporters in Southport of his rival’s actions. “I think a lot of it’s for attention.”
Those opinions, however, do not mean that McIlroy wouldn’t acknowledge DeChambeau’s 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’s Amgen Irish Open.
“Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open would be great for the tournament,” McIlroy said.
DeChambeau has not played in Ireland since the JP McManus Pro-Am in 2022, held at Adare Manor, next year’s Ryder Cup venue. But this Irish Open will be staged at the Doonberg course owned by Donald Trump, with whom DeChambeau is close friends. The American serves on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
There’s 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’t shut the door on a possible appearance when asked about the Irish Open last week.
“If it fits in the schedule, I’d love to go play,” DeChambeau said at JCB Golf & Country Club, where he finished third at LIV Golf UK. “I love playing internationally, and that’s what we do here at LIV. Anywhere I can go to support great golf in a good place, I’m all for. So we’ll see if it fits in and it makes sense for the schedule. That’s really all I have to say.”
The $6 million Irish Open will be staged from September 10-13, two weeks after the LIV Golf season is scheduled to come to an end.
DeChambeau’s next start will be at Trump’s Bedminster course as LIV heads to New York for its penultimate regular season event from August 6-9.