Rory McIlroy Questions Bryson DeChambeau’s Commitment to the PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy has raised questions about whether Bryson DeChambeau has the desire to face him regularly on the PGA Tour, as LIV Golf struggles to secure its future. DeChambeau, an American golfer, was one of the first major stars to leave the PGA Tour for the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf in 2022. However, this arrangement is no longer being funded by the country’s PIF wealth fund after 2026.
DeChambeau has remained vague about his willingness to return to the PGA Tour, a point that McIlroy appeared to touch on during a recent interview with reporters following his four-under round at Quail Hollow on Friday.
“I think everyone knows my views on LIV and where it stands in the game of golf,” McIlroy said, highlighting his long-standing criticism of the tour. “But when one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you’re too expensive for them, that sort of says something.”
When asked about the possibility of LIV players returning to the PGA Tour, McIlroy added:
“It’s a question on if they do want to come back. We’ve seen the quotes over the last few days. It seems like some of the guys, again it all depends on what happens to LIV but if it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, you know, I think Brian Rolapp (PGA Tour CEO) has said anything that makes this Tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think everyone should be open to that. That’s just good business practice.”
However, McIlroy acknowledged the challenges ahead: “But again, I think there are a lot of bridges to cross to get there. Obviously guys over there are under contract. If they are able to keep it going and get a schedule together next year it seems like those guys are still going to play the majority of their golf on LIV in whatever form it takes.”
McIlroy also reflected on his earlier judgments of the players who left the PGA Tour. “I’ve said at the start I was probably too judgmental on the guys that went. I’m not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour. But if you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, this is the place to be. And if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you.”
DeChambeau’s Ambitions Beyond Golf
DeChambeau’s comments on LIV Golf have been equally revealing. Earlier this week, he suggested he could focus on building his YouTube channel if LIV were to end. He said:
“I think, from my perspective, I’d love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more. I would love to. I’d love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube. And then I’d love to play tournaments that want me.”
Later in the week, DeChambeau indicated he might be open to playing on PGA Tour events where he is wanted. “I think there’s a way to solve any problem. It’s really about if the membership wants me back and if they just want me back. That’s what it’s about,” he said in an interview with Skratch.
A Rivalry That Has Evolved
McIlroy and DeChambeau’s rivalry intensified with the launch of LIV Golf. DeChambeau narrowly beat McIlroy at the 2024 US Open, and later, in the final round of the 2025 Masters, the two were playing partners. McIlroy finally won the tournament, completing his career grand slam.
Afterward, DeChambeau expressed frustration, claiming McIlroy didn’t speak to him during their round. “Didn’t talk to me once all day,” DeChambeau said. “He wouldn’t talk to me. He was just like, just being focused, I guess. It’s not me, though.”
McIlroy dismissed the claims of gamesmanship, stating: “I don’t know what he was expecting. We’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not going to try to be his best mate out there. Look, everyone approaches the game different ways. I was focused on myself and what I needed to do. That’s really all that it was. It wasn’t anything against him. It’s just I felt that’s what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.”
