“Didn’t talk to me once all day,” these were Bryson DeChambeau’s words that sparked debate in the golf world about Rory McIlroy’s stoic behavior during the final round of the Masters. McIlroy’s decision to block out distractions and focus solely on the task at hand seemed to pay off, as he shook off a disastrous double-bogey on No. 13 to card a 1-over 73 and force a playoff with Justin Rose. While DeChambeau’s outgoing personality was on full display, McIlroy remained in a bubble with caddie Harry Diamond, refusing to engage with his playing partner and getting a fair share of heat from the fans for it. However, there now seems to be a change in the wave as the golf world is understanding why McIlroy did what he did.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Smylie Show on YouTube, analyst Mike Tirico shared his observations about Rory McIlroy’s focus during his recent win. Tirico noted that Rory seemed to have a tunnel vision approach throughout the day, politely acknowledging patrons but avoiding interaction. This was in stark contrast to his playing partner, Bryson DeChambeau, who was more outgoing and energetic. According to Tirico, Rory’s focus allowed him to stay composed and secure the win. “And I thought what really stuck to me was Rory was kind of ‘tunnel vision’ the whole day, walking green to tee, trying to politely acknowledge but not see or interact with any of the patrons, while Bryson was full-fledged WWE ring entry, every single great Bryson makes,” he said.

Kaufman also chimed in and shared anecdotes of how McIlroy has changed since his heartbreak at the 2024 U.S. Open, particularly noting how Rory’s focus played a crucial role in his success. Kaufman highlighted that Rory’s ability to maintain his concentration was key, saying “And I think if you go all the way back to the US Open in Pinehurst, Rory was pretty open about this in the months after the US Open, where he missed those putts and just how he was not able to really focus on what was in front of him, a little bit focusing too much on Bryson behind him.”

However, this time around, being in the final group allowed Rory to “just focus on this golf course today, not pay attention to the Bryson show.” Kaufman also addressed the comments made about Rory’s limited interactions with Bryson during the game, noting, “And I think there were a lot of comments made about, ‘Oh, well, Bryson said that Rory didn’t talk to him.’ Well, that’s pretty normal in a twosome, you’re trying to get in and go.”

Kaufman also praised Rory’s maturity, saying, “But I think that showed a little bit of knowing how to deal with a big day and not to get ahead of yourself. So I thought Rory handled that great, and in that twosome too.” Now, while one might think McIlroy’s silent treatment rubbed DeChambeau the wrong way, the case is quite the opposite.

Bryson DeChambeau clarifies “No beef” with Rory McIlroy

Bryson DeChambeau has put to rest any speculation about a rift between him and Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irish golfer gave him the cold shoulder during their final round pairing at the Masters. According to DeChambeau, the snub was not a personal slight, but rather a deliberate tactic employed by McIlroy’s team to help him stay focused. “It wasn’t a slight; there’s no beef or anything,” DeChambeau said, drawing comparisons to a similar situation between Tiger Woods and Tony Finau in 2019. DeChambeau added that he wished people wouldn’t overinterpret the situation, acknowledging that speculation is inevitable.

DeChambeau’s assessment was backed up by McIlroy’s sports psychologist, Bob Rotella, who revealed that the cold shoulder approach was part of their game plan to keep McIlroy focused on his own performance. Rotella explained that they wanted McIlroy to “get lost” in his game and not pay attention to what others were doing. McIlroy’s strategy paid off, as he claimed victory at the Masters, ending a decade-long drought without a major win. DeChambeau praised McIlroy’s achievement, saying, “He deserved this one. He fought his butt off and absolutely did what he needed to do to win.” And well, he did. But what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!