'I'll Be Chirping In His Ear This Time' - Bryson DeChambeau Eyes Ryder Cup Showdown With Rory McIlroy

Bryson DeChambeau says he'll be "chirping in his ear" if he goes up against Rory McIlroy at the upcoming Ryder Cup

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy shake hands after playing together at The Masters
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shots have been fired in the build-up to the Ryder Cup, with Bryson DeChambeau taking aim at Rory McIlroy when hoping to meet his rival at Bethpage in September.

DeChambeau and McIlroy have built up a history from last year's US Open and this year's Masters, and the American told People Magazine “I'll be chirping in his ear this time" if they meet again.

Now the Majors are finished, the Ryder Cup is coming up fast on the horizon, with Keegan Bradley looking increasingly likely to be player-captain as Team USA look to win back the trophy after defeat last time in Rome.

DeChambeau may not qualify automatically due to not playing in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, but Bradley has already made it clear he'll be lining up against the Europeans.

And DeChambeau has picked out rekindling his rivalry with McIlroy as his aim for the Ryder Cup - also signalling his intent to give the Northern Irishman plenty of on-course banter at Bethpage.

“I'll be chirping in his ear this time,” DeChambeau told People Magazine at the Happy Gilmore 2 premier in New York.

“Now, if we go up against each other, I mean, you can be sure of it. I'll get into his ear a little bit.”

DeChambeau is certainly up for a Ryder Cup return, judging by his comments after a flying finish to the Open Championship last week.

"This year is no joke, we're tired of losing," DeChambeau said at Royal Portrush.

“I hope I can bring a lot of energy and a tsunami of a crowd that's going to be rooting for Team USA.”

How the Bryson v Rory rivalry developed

Bryson DeChambeau at the Ryder Cup

(Image credit: Getty Images)

McIlroy's late putting meltdown gave DeChambeau the chance to win the US Open at Pinehurst No.2 last year.

DeChambeau reminded McIlroy of that during The Showdown match with Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka - in the type of needling that he's now promising at the Ryder Cup.

The Northern Irishman exacted revenge by claiming The Masters when going out in the final pairing with Bryson - when the Amercian spoke about being ignored by the new Grand Slam winner.

DeChambeau claimed that McIlroy "didn't talk to me once all day" during that final round at Augusta, which culminated in that epic playoff victory over Justin Rose.

McIlroy explained that DeChambeau snub as merely being focused on his own date with destiny - and that may be the approach again if the two meet at Bethpage.

“I don’t know what he was expecting," said McIlroy. "Like, we’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not going to be his best mate out there."

Unlike at Augusta National though, DeChambeau will have an army of USA fans roaring him on - and if he's also "chirping" in McIlroy's ear that will be one huge fight to look forward to.

Paul Higham
Contributor

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. 

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