THE simmering feud between golf rivals Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau is about to be turned up at this week’s Open.
The superstars from opposite sides of the Atlantic are set to collide on the course at Royal Portrush.
ReutersBryson DeChambeau is gunning for the Claret Jug[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialRory McIlroy is one of the favourites for The Open[/caption]
And with the Ryder Cup in New York fast approaching this autumn, there will be more fireworks to come.
The rivalry has yet to explode into all-out animosity. But there is a growing sense of tension between the two protagonists – USA v Europe; the PGA Tour v LIV Golf; the artist v the scientist.
The friction first became apparent during the US Open last year, when McIlroy’s dramatic collapse over the closing holes opened the door for DeChambeau to win.
The man from Northern Ireland reportedly left the course without stopping to congratulate DeChambeau, only doing so on Instagram a day later.
Things soured even further in December last year, when they met in Las Vegas for the Showdown, which saw McIlroy team up with Scottie Scheffler for the PGA Tour, to take on DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka from LIV.
The pair met on the range before the event and McIlroy told a TV crew: “I’d like to go up against Bryson and try to get him back for what he did to me at the US Open.”
And DeChambeau replied: “Well, to be fair, you kinda did it to yourself.”
McIlroy is thought to have been upset by the quip, which was considered cruel.
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The duo then played alongside together in the last pairing of the final round of the Masters in April this year.
McIlroy famously won in a play-off over Justin Rose, after one of the most white-knuckle gut-wrenching final rounds in history.
DeChambeau later gave a sparky response when asked how Rory had coped, saying: “No idea, he didn’t talk to me once all day.”
McIlroy later fired back: “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.”
Their rivalry is not yet up there with Ali v Frazier, but it is not going away.
The two are both among the richest and most successful stars of their sport.
McIlroy’s Masters triumph completed the Grand Slam of all four majors and took him to 44 professional wins, including five major championships.
DeChambeau has managed 14 professional victories, which includes two major titles.
McIlroy filed for divorce after seven years with EricaGetty Images – Getty
GettyMcIlroy won the Masters after a whirlwind 12 months that saw him call off his divorce from wife Erica Stoll[/caption]
As a result of their achievements on the course, McIlroy’s net worth is estimated to £260m, while DeChambeau has around £145m.
McIlroy owns multiple luxurious properties the world, including a Florida mansion, a house in La Quinta, California mansion, an estate in Northern Ireland, and apartments in New York and Dubai.
He also has a new mansion being custom made on the exclusive Wentworth estate in Surrey.
Inside Rory McIlroy’s whirlwind love life
RORY MCILROY enjoyed a high-profile romance with former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki before their split in 2014.
The following year, the golf ace began dating Erica Stoll, who he had first met on the PGA Tour in 2011.
Erica often interacted with players through her role as the PGA’s manager of championship volunteer operations.
She even prevented McIlroy from missing his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after some confusion over the time zone.
The incident began a firm friendship between the pair, four years before their relationship turned romantic.
McIlroy and Erica were spotted on a string of dates in Rochester, New York, in the early days of their relationship.
Just eight months later, the couple got engaged in Paris and walked down the aisle at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017.
The pair then welcomed daughter Poppy into the world three years later.
Throughout their time together, McIlroy and Erica have kept their relationship to themselves, with the golfer keen to protect his family from the cameras during filming of Netflix’s Full Swing documentary series.
However, after seven years of marriage, McIlroy filed for divorce from Erica.
The reasons for the divorce were not disclosed, but the Northern Irishman submitted documents to a court in Florida.
However, a few weeks later, performed a U-turn on their decision to divorce.
McIlroy told the outlet: “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
DeChambeau recently sold his swanky mansion in Texas to move into another in the same area.
He is rumoured to be dating Lilia Schneider, a college golfer from ndianapolis. They have been pictured sharing a buggy at a LIV event.
DeChambeau had previously dated another college golfer, Hunter Nugent, but she revealed that they had parted in 2022 and that Schneider was now with the American.
He also used to date Sophia Phalen Bertolami who launched her own line of swimwear line with La Isla for a ‘large cup’ bikini wearer.
Sophia Phalen Bertolami launched a range of bikinisInstagram @sophiaandstella
McIlroy’s love life is equally complicated.
Last year his marriage to wife Erica Stoll looked to be over as they prepared to divorce, before a surprise change of heart and a dramatic U-turn on legal proceedings.
Before that, he spent three years with Danish tennis beauty Caroline Wozniacki before breaking off their engagement in a phone call that lasted just three minutes.
In 2014, McIlroy was romantically linked with Meghan Markle, before she married Prince Harry.
The pair flirted in a video shared on social media, as he helped her take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral trend adopted by many celebs to raise money for ALS.
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Here are some of the most high-profile beauties…
This former beauty pageant contestant is now an actress and featured in Sharknado 5.
The daughter of an ice hockey legend who has been branded the ‘world’s sexiest caddie’.
A Master golfer raced home from his most recent triumph to be by his wife’s side as she gave birth to their first child.
An athlete who vaulted her way into a modelling career – and her golfer hubby’s heart.
A keen tennis player and former competitor in the javelin lived with her ex-world No1 husband for two years before getting together.
Playing off a handicap of three, this sports reporter could give her fella a run for his money on the greens.
This low-key beauty got married to a superstar golfer in front of Stevie Wonder, Chris Martin and Niall Horan.
A former gymnast who has been her husband’s rock for 14 years – he even pays tribute to her on his golf balls.
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