Despite some shaky swings down the stretch, Rory McIlroy was as locked in as he’s ever been on Sunday at Augusta National. Just ask his playing partner, Bryson DeChambeau.
DeChambeau, who stunned McIlroy last June in the US Open at Pinehurst, struggled all day with his iron play, hitting long left approach after long left approach. He stumbled to a three-over 75 that saw him drop into a tie for fifth.
As much of a mood-killer as that had to have been for the two-time US Open champion, he still would have had a wee chat with McIlroy had McIlroy been interested in one. Apparently, that was not the case.
DeChambeau was asked if they spoke to each other while signing their scorecards, and if he knew how McIlroy was doing after having just missed his first putt to win, putting him in a playoff with Justin Rose, and he had this to say.
“No idea. Didn’t talk to me once all day,” he said.
Another reporter asked if DeChambeau had attempted to initiate the conversation as the roamed the fairways together.
“He wouldn’t talk to me,” DeChambeau added.
There did not appear to be any ill will, though DeChambeau did seem almost sad about the lack of chatter. He also said that after McIlroy had found the water on 13, leading to a double-bogey and putting his chances in serious doubt, that he felt truly bad for the guy. DeChambeau was still somewhat in the tournament at this point.
“I wanted to cry for him,” he said. “I mean, as a professional, you just know to hit it in the middle of the green, and I can’t believe he went for it, or must have just flared it.
“But I’ve hit bad shots in my career, too, and it happens. When you’re trying to win a major championship, especially out here, Sunday of Augusta, the Masters, you have to just do it and get the job done and do it right. There were times where it looked like he had full control and at times where it’s like, what’s going on. Kind of looked like one of my rounds, actually.”
Moments later, McIlroy was back in full control in the playoff with Rose, sticking his approach shot to three feet and pouring the birdie putt in to secure his first Masters and the career grand slam. He and DeChambeau are now 1-1, so to speak. Can’t wait for the trilogy.
