Bryson DeChambeau has opened up about his rivalry with Rory McIlroy, saying he respects the Northern Irishman but wants to beat him every time they compete on the golf course
23:41 ET, 07 Apr 2026Updated 23:41 ET, 07 Apr 2026
Bryson DeChambeau looks on while at the tournament practice area(Image: Getty Images)
Bryson DeChambeau has stated he respects Rory McIlroy but is determined to “beat the living you know what out of him.”
The American struggled during the final round of last year’s Masters, despite gaining an early advantage with a birdie at the second hole. A difficult round followed, and the 32 year old ended up tied-fifth at 7-under. After his round, DeChambeau was questioned about whether he’d communicated with McIlroy in the scoring area following his opponent’s bogey at 18 that forced a playoff.
The American revealed that McIlroy wouldn’t speak to him throughout the entire round. When asked about DeChambeau’s remarks at the PGA Championship, McIlroy responded, “I don’t know what he was expecting.”
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While their rivalry wasn’t prominent at the Ryder Cup, a recent Amazon Prime documentary about McIlroy revealed a dispute from the 2025 Masters. The two had a heated exchange over who should putt first.
DeChambeau proposed tossing a tee in the air, but McIlroy countered, “No, this is the final round of the Masters, this isn’t some game on a Tuesday afternoon somewhere,” before summoning a rules official.
This incident has reignited public interest in their dynamic, and on Tuesday, DeChambeau was finally asked directly if he views his relationship with McIlroy as a rivalry.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s great if we can continue to have a rivalry,” he responded. “I don’t see any problem with that. If anything, it kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf.
“Do I respect him as an individual? 100 percent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely. There’s no question about it.
“But I think that’s what’s so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him.
“It’s one of those things like I got him at Pinehurst, he got me here, and I hope there’s more of those to come because it’s great for the game.”
Golf: The Masters: Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy shake hands at end of round on Sunday at Augusta National.
Augusta, GA 4/13/2025
CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X164712 TK4 )
Looking back on his defeat 12 months earlier, Bryson DeChambeau acknowledged that McIlroy had rightfully earned his Grand Slam, describing it as impressive to witness firsthand.
“It was a great learning lesson. Leading or being tied for the lead and having the lead, that last group final round, gave me a lot of perspective on it. Then losing it and having things not go my way as they finished out and Rory completed the grand slam.
“Like I said, last year he earned it, right? It was really cool to see in person.
“Secondarily, I think, as I reflect back on it, the one thing I can take from it is I can put myself in those positions. The more I put myself in those positions, the better opportunities I’m going to have to win.
“It’s just been a gradual learning process. You never know what this week may bring, but I certainly hope to give it my all and put myself back in that position because I want to feel it again.”