Last year at the Masters, Rory McIlroy held his ground while Bryson DeChambeau faded on Sunday. Now, a year later, as the first major of the year returns, DeChambeau opened up about their rivalry.

"It’s great if we can continue to have a rivalry. I don’t see any problem with that," Bryson DeChambeau said during a pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday.

"If anything, it helps create more buzz around the game of golf," he said in the video uploaded on the Masters YouTube channel.

”Do I respect him as an individual? One hundred percent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely. There’s no question about it,” added the 32-year-old.

Last year, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau found themselves grouped in the final round. However, McIlroy finished at 11-under par with a total score of 277, securing the win in a sudden-death playoff and completing the modern career Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, DeChambeau's Sunday round of 3-over 75 included a double bogey on the 11th hole and a shot into the water on the 15th, which affected his position. He finished tied for fifth at 7-under par.

In the final pairing, the two played with minimal interaction. On the 9th green, there was a brief disagreement over putting order, after which McIlroy made birdie while DeChambeau missed his par attempt.

“That’s what’s so brilliant about the game of golf, the juxtaposition of having that sportsmanlike respect while also wanting to absolutely beat the living you-know-what out of them,” added the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational winner.

Bryson DeChambeau Arrives at Augusta With Form and Consistency on His Side

Bryson DeChambeau enters the 2026 Masters Tournament following consecutive wins on the LIV Golf League, including events in Singapore and South Africa in March 2026.

He is scheduled to tee off his opening round on Thursday. This marks his 10th appearance at Augusta National. For the first two rounds, he will play alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele.

During pre-tournament media sessions, DeChambeau also shared that he has started working on his own equipment, including building irons and testing a prototype driver.

So, who do you think will emerge victorious this year? Will Rory McIlroy defend his title, or will Bryson DeChambeau capitalize on the momentum he's built up with back-to-back wins? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi