“He’s a fierce competitor” - Bryson DeChambeau says he has spoken to Rory McIlroy for the first time since their US Open clash

Bryson DeChambeau revealed that he spoke to Rory McIlroy for the first time at The Open Championship since their clash for the trophy at the US Open last month. Both DeChambeau and McIlroy were in contention to win the 2024 US Open, but a missed shot led to the Northern Irish golfer settling for second place, while the American clinched his home open.

The loss seemed to dishearten McIlroy, as he then withdrew from the Travelers Championship. He even left the US Open venue early and did not compete for a few weeks. McIlroy finally returned to defend his title at the Genesis Scottish Open and had a decent outing. Robert MacIntyre won the Scottish Open last week. However, following the event, McIlroy headed to The Open Championship and met with DeChambeau.

During the tournament's press conference, the LIV golfer revealed that he met McIlroy on Monday, July 15, and had a chat with him. DeChambeau in the press conference called him a "fierce competitor". He added that he was looking forward to this week's Major, expecting "another good battle."

Speaking about McIlroy, DeChambeau said (via Nuclr Golf):

“I said hello to him yesterday, and we talked. He said congrats. So everything’s great there. He’s a fierce competitor. I know he’s going to give the fans, give everybody as much as he can this week. I’m going to be doing the same. We’re going to be competing. Hopefully, it will be another good battle.”

The first round of The Open Championship will start on Thursday, 18 July, and fans are eagerly watching to see who will clinch the trophy this week.

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A recap of Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy's battle at the US Open 2024

Rory McIlroy came close to winning the 2024 US Open, as he was hoping to finally end his decade-long Major win drought. He was in contention to win the Major, while Bryson DeChambeau also had a strong performance at the US Open.

At Pinehurst No. 2, in the final round of the US Open, Rory McIlroy had a good start, shooting a birdie on the first hole, but then made a bogey on the fifth and another birdie on the ninth. He played a strong back nine, carding a birdie on the tenth, followed by two back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th.

On the other hand, Bryson DeChambeau had a rough start in the final round, carding a bogey on the front nine. He added a birdie on the tenth but then made a bogey on the 12th, followed by a birdie on the next hole. He added another bogey on the 15th.

At that point, McIlroy was leading and had a good chance to win the Major. However, it was not to be. He struggled on the final few holes, shooting back-to-back bogeys on the 15th and 16th.

Even at that point, he was close to victory, but an unfortunate shot on the concluding hole resulted in him taking the second spot. He missed a short putt on the final hole, carded a bogey on it, and finished with a score of -5. Meanwhile, DeChambeau made par on the 18th and scored an overall -6. He finished one stroke ahead of McIlroy and won the Major.