Bryson DeChambeau was left disappointed after losing out to Rory McIlroy on the final day of the Masters, and his comments have been slammed by a number of PGA Tour stars

Bryson DeChambeau fell short at the Masters (Image: Getty Images)

Bryson DeChambeau has received a clear message from PGA Tour stars that they’re not sold on his “mercurial” image after he threw a subtle jab at Masters champion Rory McIlroy.

Heading into the climax of Augusta’s showdown, the American was in hot pursuit of his maiden Green Jacket, trailing McIlroy by just two shots. However, a series of blunders prompted a slide to a tied-fifth finish with Im Sung-jae.

In a replay of their previous U.S. Open tussle – where DeChambeau had the last laugh – this time it was McIlroy snagging victory. Still, DeChambeau stirred the pot post-Masters, asserting that throughout their round, McIlroy hadn’t exchanged a single word with him.

Queried by a reporter from the Mirror U.S. Sports on McIlroy’s mood post-scorecard signing, the LIV Golf defector remarked: “No idea. Didn’t talk to me once all day” – then went further, noting: “He wouldn’t talk to me. He was just like … just being focused, I guess. It’s not me, though.”

Former pro golfer Brandel Chamblee weighed in, suggesting these sorts of remarks from DeChambeau are all too familiar to his ex-PGA Tour colleagues. The 31-year-old has etched a rather controversial figure in the golfing saga, infamously clashing with Brooks Koepka, and has only elevated his divisive status since jumping ship to LIV Golf in 2022.

Since his switch to the controversial LIV series, DeChambeau has faced accusations of transforming his image and gameplay from critics, including three-time major victor Padraig Harrington, who lambasted him for a “bizarre” showing during the Masters’ final round, letting “ego” take the reins. However, Chamblee believes that McIlroy and other PGA Tour pros are hardly batting an eye at these shifts.

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy faced off at the Masters ( Image: Getty Images)

“There is, I’m not going to say animosity, but there’s palpable dislike,” the PGA Tour Champions star said on ‘The Bret Boone Podcast.’ “You can’t forget that Bryson went to LIV, and LIV sued the PGA Tour. LIV and the players on LIV sought to destroy the PGA Tour. They would love if the PGA Tour was destroyed and folded – they would love it.

“They would pump their chest, and go ‘look what we did, we’re the best tour’. They would in a minute do that. And Bryson is kind of Phil (Mickelson)’s guy, they’re two peas in a pod. So I know Bryson is perceived as having this makeover, and he’s changed his swing, he’s changed his body, he’s changed his public perception, but not his peer perception. They don’t look at him like that. They don’t believe it.”

Post-Masters, DeChambeau found himself at the sharp end of criticism for his apparent resentment toward champion McIlroy. Bob Rotella, McIlroy’s sports psychologist, has since explained that McIlroy’s choice to steer clear of discourse with the LIV Golf affiliated golfer was deliberate, assuring there was nothing personal in the Irishman’s silence.

Chamblee weighed in on the stark contrast between the two golfers, describing them as polar opposites. “Rory is sincere and congenial and graceful and athletic,” he said.

“And Bryson is, he’s kind of mercurial, you saw that after the final round when he was bellyaching that Rory didn’t talk to him. He’s high, he’s got a lot of Phil Mickelson in him. And the players, I’m just saying they don’t necessarily buy that.”