The Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau rivalry has reignited again at the 154th Open. After the Irishman accused the LIV man of holding the championship “hostage”, DeChambeau responded with just five words.

DeChambeau’s controversial two-stroke penalty caused a delay in the publication of Moving Day’s tee times. McIlroy went all out, accusing DeChambeau. However, the LIV man had no clue about it.

"I have not heard anything,” said DeChambeau in five words to the reporters.

The golfing world remains divided regarding DeChambeau’s penalty. However, it was DeChambeau’s initial decision to withdraw from the Open that caused the chaos, as reported by GolfMagic.

The R&A waited for the two-time major winner to confirm his presence for the weekend before publishing the tee times. McIlroy wasn’t having any of it and pointed out that the LIV man was seeking attention.

"I won't pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I'm not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it's performative. I think a lot of it's for attention. To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn't feel like it was a great look," said McIlroy.

Just like McIlroy, Marco Penge, Justin Thomas, and other players were also left frustrated with the delay. 

Eventually, DeChambeau opted to play after his long discussion with the R&A officials was to no avail.

McIlroy had his say on DeChambeau’s penalty.

Rory McIlroy shares his view on DeChambeau’s ruling

In the second round, at the par-4 5th hole, DeChambeau went into the thick rough to play his second shot. That’s when the discrepancy happened. 

"As soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other and were like, 'That didn't seem right. Then when I heard that he was called in by the rules officials, I think we all thought it was pretty obvious why,” McIlroy said, as per Golf Channel. “I think there's no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing."

Under Rule 8.1, DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty for “inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing,” as per R&A's chief rules official, Grant Moir.

McIlroy sided with the R&A’s decision, which the fans have not been convinced by. Despite the setback, DeChambeau remains in the mix, charging towards his third major title. McIlroy, on the other hand, is down the order. 

What are your thoughts on McIlroy’s statement on DeChambeau? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason