Scottie Scheffler Not A Fan Of Rory McIlroy's Attack On Bryson DeChambeau

Scottie Scheffler was not a fan of Rory McIlroy's jibs at Bryson DeChambeau at the Open Championship — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Some say Rory McIlroy's stinging criticism of Bryson DeChambeau at The Open could be good for golf in building a genuine rivalry in the sport - but Scottie Scheffler isn't a fan.

McIlroy called DeChambeau "performative" as he surprised everyone at Royal Birkdale by openly talking about his dislike of the American, comments which many believe overstepped the mark.

Rivalries are mainly seen as good for any sport, sparking interest with fans who generally like to take sides in all sports - and both McIlroy and DeChambeau are the most polarizing figures in the game.

World No.1 Scheffler did not approve though, saying he's "never been a big fan of personal jabs" and doesn't feel golf needs to have a big personal fued in the sport.

"I think golf's different in a sense of a lot of other sports because my biggest rival week in and week out is the golf course that we're playing," said Scheffler at the 3M Open.

"I mean, I could never stop somebody from doing anything in golf. I felt like when I played basketball there would always be rivalries in basketball because you're going to play defense against a person and that is much more personal.

"If you and I were going to go out and play one-on-one, like it would turn into a rivalry because I'm actively trying to stop what you're doing, but in golf, we're always competing against ourselves on the golf course."

Asked if he thought the spat between McIlroy and DeChambeau would be good for the sport, Scheffler reiterated that he was not in favor.

"I've never been a big fan of personal jabs," Scheffler added. "I don't think that rivalry is a big thing in golf just because, like I said, my biggest rivalry week in and week out is the golf course."

Does golf need a Rory v Bryson rivalry?

Rory McIlroy (left) gesticulates at The Open during round three in 2026 while Bryson DeChambeau looks on (right)

McIlroy's comments came after DeChambeau was found guilty of improving his swing path on the fifth hole during Friday's second round, which quickly became the big drama of the tournament.

"I won't pretend to be up here and defend Bryson," McIlroy said at Birkdale. "I'm not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it's performative. I think a lot of it's for attention.

"To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn't feel like it was a great look."

It was a surprising outburst to come during a tournament, especially The Open, and reignited a rivalry that has grown in the Majors over recent years.

DeChambeau pipped McIlroy to the US Open in 2024, when the Northern Irishman missed a couple of late putts and then raced away from Pinehurst as soon as the American clinched the title.

The pair played in the final group at The Masters when McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam in 2025 - with DeChambeau claiming McIlroy "didn't talke to me once all day" at Augusta National.

Fans have already picked sides and the next time McIlroy and DeChambeau meet, expect some fireworks. The sport could probably do with that coming sooner rather than later but with all the uncertainty right now, exactly when that will be is anyone's guess.

What do you think? Would a genuine Rory McIlroy v Bryson DeChambeau rivalry be good for golf? Or did McIlroy overstep the mark? Let us know by joining the conversation below...

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.