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There was little communication between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau on Sunday at Augusta - Reuters/Brian Snyder
Bryson DeChambeau has accused Rory McIlroy of refusing to talk to him throughout his final Masters round as their rivalry simmered at Augusta.
Scars of a previous blockbuster battle at the US Open 10 months ago appeared to be on show as the laser-focused McIlroy refused to engage with the 31-year-old, according to the LIV golfer.
DeChambeau previously capitalised on McIlroy’s two missed short putts, but in their latest head-to-head on Sunday, it was the American’s turn to lose his nerve. While DeChambeau struggled with his irons and finished in a tie for fifth, McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam via a play-off.
Conversation between the two had been minimal throughout the day. When asked about McIlroy’s mood on Sunday, DeChambeau said: “No idea. Didn’t talk to me once all day. [The atmosphere was] electric, I loved it. But he was just... just being focused I guess. That’s not me, though.”
When asked whether he had tried to initiate conversation, DeChambeau added: “He wouldn’t talk to me.”
Silence between the pair reflected the intense pressure on McIlroy, who endured an extraordinary roller-coaster of an 18-holes before finally securing the green jacket.
But it also reflected a growing rivalry between the two respective faces of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, who represent very different characters on and off the course.
McIlroy’s pairing with DeChambeau in the final round at Augusta inevitably brought to mind memories of last June’s US Open, when the Northern Irishman’s dramatic back-nine collapse opened the door for DeChambeau to claim the title for the second time.
The two also met in Las Vegas in December when they took part in the Showdown – a match pitting the PGA Tour against LIV Golf as McIlroy teamed up with Scottie Scheffler to take on DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. In the build-up to the Shadow Creek Golf Club contest, the two shared a joke about their rivalry.
“I’d like to go up against Bryson and try to get him back for what he did to me at the US Open,” McIlroy had said while on the range alongside DeChambeau.
“Well, to be fair, you kinda did it to yourself.” DeChambeau sniped back, a retort that stung McIlroy and one that is understood to have stuck with him after being deemed a cruel and unnecessary remark.
DeChambeau also appeared to try and spark early mind games before the final round had even begun on Sunday. Having started his driving range practice in one of the far berths, the American slowly edged his way towards where McIlroy was hitting from, to the point that they were separated by just three empty bays when nearly all other players had left to start their rounds.
McIlroy’s Masters’ title ends 11 long years peppered with near misses in majors since his fourth title in the 2014 PGA Championship.
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