Rory McIlroy Brushes Off Bryson DeChambeau’s Claim That Masters Champ Shunned Him During Final Round: I’m Not Trying to ‘Be His Best Mate!’

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Professional golfer Rory McIlroy appeared unconcerned by Bryson DeChambeau’s comments about his silent treatment at the Masters Tournament.

McIlroy and DeChambeau were the final pairing to tee off in the final round of golf’s most iconic tournament. While McIlroy entered that Sunday with the lead, DeChambeau was not far behind. As is often the case in the sport, the round was filled with ups and downs for both golfers as they exchanged leads multiple times.

In the end, however, it was McIlroy who found himself donning the green jacket for the first time in his career. The win at Augusta National Golf Club was also the last one the Northern Irishman needed to complete the career grand slam.

After the tournament, DeChambeau revealed during an interview that McIlroy hadn’t said a word to him throughout the day. Although the two did greet one another at the start of the final round, DeChambeau claimed he was given the cold shoulder after that.

That revelation fueled theories that McIlroy — a loyalist of the PGA Tour — wanted nothing to do DeChambeau, who defected to LIV Golf years prior. On Wednesday, McIlroy set the record straight and explained that he simply wasn’t in a talkative mood with his opponent.

“I don’t know what he was expecting,” McIlroy said. “I mean, we’re trying to win the Masters! I’m not gonna try to be his best mate out there.

“Everyone approaches the game different ways… I was focused on myself and what I needed to do; and that’s really all that it was. It wasn’t anything against him. It’s just, I felt that’s what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.”

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