Rory McIlroy has not tried to hide the fact that he is not particularly fond of Bryson DeChambeau, and actually used those exact words while talking about the two-time major winner during The Open held this past July. While that may make McIlroy’s most recent comments about DeChambeau and his future completely predictable, it doesn’t mean they are not noteworthy.
Speaking ahead of this week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, McIlroy was asked about DeChambeau potentially joining the European circuit.
DeChambeau’s only option to play competitive golf in 2027 would be to join the DP World Tour with LIV Golf shutting down. At this moment in time, there is no immediate pathway back for DeChambeau to join the PGA Tour for next season.
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While McIlroy accurately admitted that DeChambeau playing on the DP World Tour would bring more exposure to the circuit all around, he didn’t end his thought without taking a shot at the American.
“Yeah, look, I think a name like Bryson DeChambeau and everything he brings with him, good and bad — he brings eyeballs, which is a good thing for tournaments,” McIlroy explained on Tuesday in Dubai.
“And honestly, look, I’m certainly not in his shoes, and nor would I ever want to be, but it doesn’t seem like he’s got many options. You know, if he wants to play competitive golf, it doesn’t seem like he’s got many options.”
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McIlroy is stating what the entire golf world already knew with his comment about never wanting to be in DeChambeau’s shoes, but there is a difference between the golf world assuming it and McIlroy actually saying it while sitting inside of a media center. It adds a certain gravitas to the situation, and the rivalry that has built up between the two over recent years.
McIlroy and DeChambeau have a history with one another that has largely unfolded on golf’s biggest stages, with the main highlights being DeChambeau getting the best of McIlroy at the 2024 U.S. Open and McIlroy returning the favor at the 2025 Masters by sliding on the green jacket for the first time.
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Players have until Nov. 16 to commit to competing on the DP World Tour for next season, and whether or not DeChambeau elects to do so is a guessing game at this point.
DeChambeau issued a statement regarding LIV Golf closing its doors, but did not make mention of what his competitive golf future will entail.
The 33-year-old is exempt into all four major championships through 2029 thanks to his victory at the 2024 U.S. Open, which presents a possibility that he could turn even more of his focus to growing his YouTube channel and only competing in the majors.