NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Rory McIlroy hit one of his biggest shots of the day on Saturday at The Open during the press conference.
McIlroy, 37, unloaded on Bryson DeChambeau when asked about his conduct Friday after the 32-year-old was given a two-stroke penalty following a long, heated interaction with rules officials well into the round.
“I’m not going to pretend to be up here and defend Bryson,” McIlroy told reporters after shooting a 1-under 69 in the third round. “I’m not very fond of it. I think a lot of it is performative. I think a lot of it is attention-seeking.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
(Left) Rory McIlroy watches his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. July 17, 2026. (Right) Bryson DeChambeau watches from the first green during the first round of the US Open golf tournament in Southampton, New York, on June 18, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Image Images; Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
“Holding the tournament hostage like that,” McIlroy continued, “and having us all (players, volunteers, everyone) waiting for him to leave, I didn’t feel like it was a great look.”
The reigning two-time Masters champion said he had no doubt DeChambeau improved the line of his backswing; and that his actions “didn’t seem right.”
“I think there’s no question he improved the line of his backswing,” McIlroy said. “Again, it’s like whether it was carelessness or whether it was intentional, I don’t think it matters. Hopefully it was carelessness, but I think the two-shot penalty was justified, for sure.”
ZERO BS. ONLY DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his tee shot on the 7th hole during day three of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Peter Morrison/AP)
Other golfers were a little more sympathetic to DeChambeau, with former Open champion Xander Schauffele calling the situation unfortunate.
“He said he didn’t do it intentionally, and it’s unfortunate that he got penalized because he was playing incredibly well and obviously continues to play incredibly well,” Schauffele said, “so obviously he’s going to have something to prove over the next couple of days.”
DeChambeau responded to the two-stroke penalty with a solid third round, as he finished 1 under par to finish the day at 6 under par for the tournament. He is four shots behind Sam Burns, who leads the tournament at 10 under after shooting 5 under on Saturday.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States talks to a rules office before playing his shot on the 18th hole during day three of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Peter Morrison/AP)
If DeChambeau falls within two strokes of the winner on Sunday, the talk of his two-stroke penalty won’t dissipate anytime soon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS
McIlroy is tied for 30th at 2-under par in the tournament and would need a great round and plenty of help to be in contention on Sunday.
