McIlroy fires jab at DeChambeau as Ryder Cup rivalry intensifies ahead of Bethpage
Ahead of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau trade barbs as fans brace for a high-profile showdown between teams on opposite sides of the rivalry.
Rory McIlroy intensified his rivalry with Bryson DeChambeau ahead of the Ryder Cup, trading barbs as the event looms at Bethpage Black next weekend. The matchup between the two has become a focal point of the lead-up, with thousands of fans expected at Farmingdale, New York, for the event. Officials project about 50,000 spectators per day at Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup, underscoring the event’s high-profile status.
McIlroy told The Guardian in an interview published Saturday that "the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people." He said DeChambeau tends to name-check him, Scheffler and others to grab headlines, a line that underscores the ongoing trash-talk before the matches. The Masters in April intensified the feud when McIlroy secured the career Grand Slam and DeChambeau later said McIlroy didn’t speak to him in the final round. McIlroy responded that he was focused and "I’m not going to try and be his best mate out there."
DeChambeau, who joined LIV Golf, defeated McIlroy by a stroke in the 2024 U.S. Open, erasing a one-shot lead on the 16th hole with a late rally. In last year’s Ryder Cup, Team USA fell to Europe, 16 1/2-11 1/2, and while Europe will return most of its roster and its captain, the U.S. will rely on four rookies under captain Keegan Bradley.
Bethpage’s expected boisterous atmosphere has drawn attention beyond the players themselves. Former European player Andrew Coltart warned wives and girlfriends of players to consider watching from a secure room, telling The Sun that the crowd could become intense and that crowd control and stewards might not be able to prevent abuse. The warning highlights the unusual level of scrutiny and emotion surrounding a Ryder Cup weekend that is often defined as much by fan energy as by golf.
Europe will essentially bring back the same roster—and captain—from 2023, maintaining continuity as it seeks to defend the cup on U.S. soil. The Americans, led by Bradley, will feature four rookies on a team aiming to rebound from a lopsided defeat two years ago in Rome. The dynamic adds another layer to a rivalry that has blossomed into one of the sport’s most talked-about narratives as Bethpage prepares to host a Ryder Cup that officials expect to draw a nationwide audience.