Rory McIlroy did not hold back in his assessment of Bryson DeChambeau’s behavior at the British Open on Friday.
McIlroy was asked Saturday about DeChambeau’s two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the par-4 fifth hole at Royal Birkdale. Not only did McIlroy think the penalty was justified, but he thought DeChambeau’s reaction was “performative” and disrespectful to everyone else.
“I think there’s no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing. Whether it was careless or whether it was intentional, I don’t think it matters. Hopefully it was careless. But I think the two-shot penalty was justified,” McIlroy said. “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 have all of us, volunteers, players, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look.”
Here's Rory on the Bryson ruling — said there's no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing and penalty was justified.
— Patrick McDonald (@pmcdonaldCBS) July 18, 2026
Then added: "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… pic.twitter.com/knSptf5Opo
DeChambeau had a lengthy argument with rules officials on the course after the penalty was assessed that wound up looking like a bit of a temper tantrum. At one point, he seemingly threatened not to play on Saturday, though he walked back that threat.
As McIlroy indicated, DeChambeau’s antics actually delayed the release of Saturday’s tee times, much to the frustration of other members of the field.
While McIlroy and DeChambeau have largely maintained a respectful relationship, there has been tension between the two of them in the past. McIlroy has also been a staunch loyalist to the PGA Tour, while DeChambeau defected to join LIV Golf, adding a further element to their rivalry.
