‘Didn’t talk to me once’ – Bryson DeChambeau gives insight into Masters rivalry with Rory McIlroy
RORY McILROY “didn’t talk once” to Bryson DeChambeau on a gripping final day of the Masters.
The Northern Irishman, 35, burst into tears on the 18th green as he finally ended his 10-year wait for a Green Jacket – but only after threatening to blow a five-shot lead with eight holes to play.
McIlroy infamously imploded to gift DeChambeau the US Open title last year and vowed revenge – and looked set to do the same as a rampant Justin Rose charged back to force a playoff.
After his US Open heartbreak, McIlroy – speaking in Las Vegas last December – said: “I’d like to go up against Bryson and get him back for what he did to me at the US Open.”
DeChambeau jokingly responded: “To be fair, you kind of did that to yourself.”
While there’s no real bad blood between the superstars, it’s reported by golf.com the pair are “not friends”.
On Sunday, McIlroy got his wish as he was partnered with the American for the final round – but refused to utter a word to him all day on the course, according to his rival.
When asked how McIlroy was doing in the clubhouse after his win, DeChambeau replied: “No idea…
“He didn’t talk to me once all day.”
When asked if he had tried to chat with the new champion, DeChambeau snapped: “He wouldn’t talk to me.”
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It’s not unusual for rivals gunning for glory to ignore each other during the final round – and DeChambeau didn’t appear to hold any ill will towards the eventual champion.
Despite the blunt interview, the American – who hilariously became an unlikely sex symbol during the Augusta weekend – revealed his heart was breaking for McIlroy as he looked destined to miss out on yet another Major.
After McIlroy found Rae’s Creek in his approach to the 13th to eventually notch a double bogey, DeChambeau said: “I wanted to cry for him.
“I mean, as a professional, you just know to hit it in the middle of the green, and I can’t believe he went for it, or must have just flared it.
“But I’ve hit bad shots in my career, too, and it happens. When you’re trying to win a major championship, especially out here, Sunday of Augusta, the Masters, you have to just do it and get the job done and do it right.
“There were times where it looked like he had full control and at times where it’s like, what’s going on? Kind of looked like one of my rounds, actually.”
McIlroy’s success on the course comes after a turbulent year off it.
And that was typified by his emotional embrace of wife Erica Stroll and daughter Poppy as soon as he made his way off the 18th green.
Inside Rory McIlroy's whirlwind love life
RORY MCILROY enjoyed a high-profile romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014.
The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, who he had first met on the PGA Tour in 2011.
Erica often interacted with players through her role as the PGA’s manager of championship volunteer operations.
She even prevented McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone.
The incident began a firm friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were spotted on a string of dates in Rochester, New York, in the early days of their relationship.
Just eight months later, the couple got engaged in Paris and walked down the aisle at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017.
The pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica have kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to protect his family from the cameras during filming of Netflix’s Full Swing documentary series.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce were not disclosed, but the Northern Irishman submitted documents to a court in Florida.
However, a few weeks later, performed a U-turn on their decision to divorce.
McIlroy told the outlet: “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
After his win, a tearful McIlroy said: “It’s a dream come true.
“I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember.
“Watching Tiger (Woods) here in 1997 do what he did, winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.
“It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.
“The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulder and trying to achieve it, I wonder what we’re going to talk about going into next year.
“I’m absolutely honoured, thrilled and proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”
Masters 2025
RORY McILROY finally won the Masters to complete an epic Grand Slam after YEARS of waiting.
The fans’ favourite fell to his knees and roared in celebration after beating Justin Rose in a dramatic play-off.
McIlroy later broke down in an emotional TV interview as he said: “A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.”
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