Beyond the relevant explanations regarding the reasons why his game was not at the necessary level to truly compete for victory on Sunday at the Masters, the press conference of Bryson DeChambeau at the Augusta National Golf Club highlighted how ‘annoyed’ the American golfer was with his playing partner and, ultimately, the winner of the famous Green Jacket, Rory McIlroy, who outperformed him on the course… and clearly also in the psychological battle.
First, the ‘scientist’ tried to show some empathy with the Northern Irish golfer after witnessing firsthand that ball into the water on the 13th hole with which McIlroy squandered the comfortable lead he could have taken into the final stretch of his round. However, he didn’t miss the opportunity to somewhat rub salt in the wound… “I felt like crying for him. As a professional, you know you have to aim for the centre of the green, I can’t believe he didn’t try… or maybe he just opened the shot,” he said.
Then, he insisted: “But well, I’ve also hit bad shots in my career, it’s something that happens. When you’re trying to win a major, especially at Augusta on a Masters Sunday, you have to do very well to get the job done. There were moments when it seemed like he had everything under control and others when you wondered: ‘What’s happening?’. It seemed like one of my rounds.” But the surprise came when Bryson was asked if he had spoken to Rory and how he was…
“RORY MCILROY DIDN’T SPEAK TO ME ALL DAY; HE WAS FOCUSED, I SUPPOSE, BUT IT’S NOT MY THING, TO BE HONEST”
“No idea, he didn’t speak to me all day,” said DeChambeau. And indeed, there was no interaction seen between the two members of the star group on Sunday at the Masters throughout the round. In fact, every time Bryson was about to putt on any green, something he takes his time with, Rory didn’t even look at him, he turned away, always giving the impression of not wanting to engage in the American’s game and being solely focused on his own from start to finish.
The Californian’s golf thrives on spectacle, good vibes on the course, viral moments on YouTube, playing with someone as if it were a friendly match and not a competition where only one can win. And possibly as a strategy, especially considering he was a Ryder rival and, above all, one of the players who decided to pack their bags heading to LIV and creating a significant rift in world golf and the PGA Tour, McIlroy did not want to be part of that and chose not to interact at all with his playing partner. Without being disrespectful or rude at any time.
The Northern Irishman was focused on himself from start to finish, ignoring everything else happening around him. This was confirmed when DeChambeau was asked how the atmosphere was in the match: “Electric, I loved it… But he was… just focused, I suppose. It’s not my thing, to be honest.” Did Bryson try to talk to Rory at any point? “He didn’t want to talk to me,” the Californian concluded, highlighting how ‘annoyed’ he was after a Sunday where his golf didn’t flow… and his playing partner didn’t engage in his game.
