Rory McIlroy did not hold back when asked about the controversy involving Bryson DeChambeau during Friday’s play at the 154th Open. The Northern Irishman fully backed the two-stroke penalty imposed on the American and was even more forceful when assessing everything that happened afterwards, when the case’s resolution dragged on and players, volunteers and tournament staff had to wait.
McIlroy explained that he witnessed the incident live from the players’ area alongside several team-mates. According to his account, the reaction among those watching the footage was immediate.
“I was watching it live. I was in the players’ area with several golfers and, as soon as he stepped towards the ball, we all looked at each other. It was like: ‘That didn’t look right'”, he said after completing his third round.
The matter ended up in the hands of the officials, who handed DeChambeau a two-stroke penalty. For McIlroy, the decision leaves little room for interpretation.
“When I found out the officials had called him over, I think we all had a pretty clear idea why. There is no doubt he improved the line of his backswing”, he stated.
The Northern Irishman stopped short of saying DeChambeau had acted deliberately, but maintained that intent does not alter the infraction or the corresponding sanction.
“Whether it was careless or intentional I don’t think it matters. I hope it was an oversight, but the two-stroke penalty was totally justified”, he added.
“I’m not going to pretend I’ll defend Bryson”
McIlroy’s strongest remarks came when he was asked about what happened after the officials’ decision. The process was prolonged, the night ended later than scheduled and everyone involved had to remain waiting until the situation was definitively resolved. Basically, to find out everyone’s tee times for Saturday. It depended on what Bryson’s result and position ended up being. Until there was a resolution, the officials did not publish the tee times. In other words, nobody knew what time they were playing the following day.
It was then that Rory set aside any attempt at diplomacy. “It was a long night for everyone. I’m not going to pretend here that I’m going to defend Bryson. I don’t have any particular sympathy for him”, he said.
McIlroy also questioned the authenticity of DeChambeau’s public behaviour and suggested many of his actions are intended to generate a reaction. “I think a lot of what he does is for the gallery. I think many things he does are to attract attention”, he declared.
The five-time major champion also disapproved of how events unfolded once the sanction was announced. His criticism included the effect the wait had on everyone working at or taking part in the tournament.
“Holding the tournament hostage in that way and keeping all of us waiting — players, volunteers and everyone — until he left didn’t seem to me to present a good image”, he explained.
McIlroy won’t comment on intent, but says: “It didn’t look good”
When asked directly whether he thought DeChambeau was aware of what he was doing, McIlroy again avoided an explicit accusation. He would not speculate on the American’s intent, although he reiterated the doubts the images raised for him.
“He’s going to say what he has to say. I’m not inside his head and I don’t know what he was thinking, but it didn’t look good”, he replied.
Rory also acknowledged the difficulty of applying the same level of scrutiny to all participants. While every shot by the main figures can be captured by cameras, many other players complete parts of their rounds without equivalent television coverage.
“It’s difficult. There are many players whose shots aren’t being recorded. You could say that’s unfair or that this kind of thing may happen more often than we know. It’s impossible to police everyone and that’s why golf is, to a large extent, a sport in which each player must police themselves”, he explained.
However, he believes DeChambeau’s case was different because there was sufficiently clear footage. “When there is clear evidence, as happened last night, then the story changes”, he concluded.
McIlroy doesn’t see himself with a great chance of victory
On the sporting side, McIlroy (-2) admitted his third round contained too many irregular moments. The Northern Irishman feels he left several shots out there again and especially lamented not having found the right speed on the greens throughout the week. He shot a 69 today and is eight off the lead.
“I played reasonably well for much of the course, although I was a bit messy in places. I feel I could have shot 67 or 66″, he admitted.
Rory did not completely rule out a comeback during the final day, especially after the numerous very low rounds seen during the week, but he was realistic about his chances.
“Never say never. If tomorrow I go out and manage to get into double figures, who knows what could happen. But, certainly, I’m not going out thinking I have a great chance of winning”, he stated.
