Bryson DeChambeau reveals talks with Rory McIlroy after US Open drama

Bryson DeChambeau has revealed that he has spoken with Rory McIlroy for the first time since his US Open disappearing act. 

It took less than hour for a heartbroken McIlroy to go from signing his card to being mid-air on his plane home after his devastating collapse at Pinehurst last month.

The Northern Irishman – who had just bogeyed three of his final four holes – headed for the exit as soon as DeChambeau’s winning putt dropped on the 18th green.

There was criticism from fans and pundits over his failure to address the champion or the media, but McIlroy was adamant that he had no regrets over his post-round actions.

“No offence, you guys were the least of my worries at that point,” McIlroy laughed as he spoke to reporters at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open in East Lothian.

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And it appears that McIlroy’s swift exit has had no impact on his relationship with DeChambeau.

“I said hello to him yesterday, and we talked. He said congrats. So everything’s great there,” the Californian said in his pre-Open press conference at Royal Troon.

“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.

“I’m not one to make assumptions on someone’s golf game and how he feels, but I certainly am going to try to play the best I possibly can.”

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DeChambeau, meanwhile, is riding a wave of soaring popularity and confidence as heads into the final major of the season in Ayrshire as one of the favourites.

“It would be awesome to let everybody touch the Claret Jug,” he said. “That would be a dream come true. I’ve got to get the job done first.

“I can’t think too far ahead. I’ve got to focus on executing the shots under the right conditions and just take account of everything that’s going on and stay in the moment and execute the right shot.

“That’s the most important thing this week is giving yourself the best chance, taking into account the wind, the rain, the slopes, the bounces, the greens and just making sure you’re doing the right thing in that moment because it’s so variable all day long. The winds are shifting and moving and gusting.

“It’s going to be a fun and interesting challenge this week.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.