'Hopefully It Will Be Another Good Battle' - Bryson DeChambeau Says He Spoke To Rory McIlroy For First Time Since US Open Win
The reigning US Open champion said he spoke to Rory McIlroy at Royal Troon this week and hopes to have "another good battle" against him at The Open


Bryson DeChambeau has revealed that he spoke to Rory McIlroy for the first time since he edged the Northern Irishman for the US Open title.
DeChambeau handed McIlroy one of the toughest losses of his career at Pinehurst last month, beating the world No.2 by one stroke to claim his second US Open victory.
With both players back in action at the Open Championship this week, they finally had a chance to speak after McIlroy’s abrupt exit following his Pinehurst collapse.
“I said hello to him yesterday, and we talked,” DeChambeau said on Tuesday. “He said congrats. So everything's great there.”
He said he hopes for “another good battle” against McIlroy at Royal Troon this week.
“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.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
DeChambeau has performed well at every Major so far this year and is one of the favorites for the title this week.
Aside from his victory at the US Open, DeChambeau also finished in a tie for sixth at the Masters and runner-up at the PGA Championship.
He said he is feeling “very confident” coming into the fourth Major of the year.
“It all depends if I'm striking it well. I can come in here with the most confidence, obviously, off of a Major championship win. Played decent last week, as well.
“Really what matters is if I can continue to drive the ball as well as I have and ball strike my irons the way I know I can and putt the way I know I can. If I do those three things well, even four things with chipping and bunker play and on the greens, I'll give myself a chance.
“I know how to get the job done. It's just a matter of if I'm as consistent as I was at the US Open last week and a few other venues as well. If I can play the golf that I have been, I think I'll give myself a great chance.”
However, he admitted that links golf provides a completely different test, something that he will need to adapt to quickly in his first time competing at Royal Troon.
“It can be a difficult challenge. I wouldn't say it's a problem. It's a challenge. I think that's what's so great about links golf and Open Championship, and what it provides is a different test.
“For me, I played well at Royal Lytham St Annes when it was firm and fast in the Walker Cup. Played well at St Andrews. Played well at other places. But it's always been a difficult test for me because I wasn't great at putting early on in my career. I've gotten a little bit better. My wedge game has gotten better. I've learned to flight the ball a little bit.
“So slowly it's getting there. Just a couple more reps. Shoot, if I play well this week, I think I can give myself a good chance obviously. That's all I'm focused on. I just think over the course of time I'm going to get more and more comfortable with this golf course.”

Joel Kulasingham is freelance writer for Golf Monthly. He has worked as a sports reporter and editor in New Zealand for more than five years, covering a wide range of sports including golf, rugby and football. He moved to London in 2023 and writes for several publications in the UK and abroad. He is a life-long sports nut and has been obsessed with golf since first swinging a club at the age of 13. These days he spends most of his time watching, reading and writing about sports, and playing mediocre golf at courses around London.
-
The Mizuno Pro X Is One Of The Best Golf Balls Of 2025 And A Worthy Challenger To The Titleist Pro V1 – With A 33% Discount You Won't Regret Trying It
Deals Mizuno's Pro X ball impressed us from tee to green delivering impressive numbers on par with its far more expensive market rivals
By Paul Brett
-
I Had No Idea It Was This Easy To Hit Draws And Fades... You Have To Try This Foolproof Formula Now
When Top 50 Coach Alex Elliott shared this simple formula with me, I could not believe how easy it was to draw and fade the golf ball... you have to try it!
By Barry Plummer
-
Rory McIlroy And Shane Lowry Explain Golf Ball Tactics For Zurich Classic Foursomes
Defending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explained how they go about picking which golf ball to use in foursomes
By Paul Higham
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters Display
Akshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
By Paul Higham
-
‘I Spoke To Two Presidents The Day After’ – Rory McIlroy Reflects On 'Absolutely Amazing' Reaction To Masters Win
The five-time Major winner revealed he had spoken to two presidents in the aftermath of completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters
By Mike Hall
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
By Mike Hall
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His Career
After becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters Victory
Following on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
By Matt Cradock
-
'His Game Is Futureproof' - Padraig Harrington Predicts Talk Of Rory McIlroy Winning '10 To 15 Majors'
The three-time Major winner had nothing but praise for his fellow Ryder Cup player, with Harrington envisaging that McIlroy could carry on at the highest level for a good few years
By Matt Cradock