Rory McIlroy sends blunt message to Bryson DeChambeau as Masters drama returns
Rory McIlroy admitted he was left confused by Bryson DeChambeau's comments about his demeanour during the final round of the Masters last month.
Paired together in the final round at Augusta National, McIlroy would go on to end his long-running major drought and complete the career Grand Slam with a gripping playoff victory over Justin Rose.
The American, by contrast, faded away from contention and later admitted he was taken aback by McIlroy's decision not to speak to him throughout the final round.
'Didn't talk to me once all day,' DeChambeau said at the time. 'He wouldn't talk to me. He was just like – just being focused, I guess. It's not me, though.'
With the two set to renew their rivalry at this week's PGA Championship, DeChambeau's comments have been revisited, although McIlroy is still not sure why the American took issue with his approach.
'I don't know what he was expecting,' the world No.2 said ahead of his first round at Quail Hollow. 'We're trying to win the Masters. I'm not going to try to be his best mate out there.
'Look, everyone approaches the game in different ways. Yeah, like I was focused on myself and what I needed to do. That's really all that it was.
'It wasn't anything against him – it's just I felt that's what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.'
A long and damp Quail Hollow course should provide an additional advantage to both McIlroy and DeChambeau, who are two of the game's premier drivers of the ball. More Trending
And DeChambeau is hopeful that the pair will get a chance for another final-round dust this week.
'I do believe you have to have a lot of distance out here, the two-time US Open Champion noted. 'Rory is a great driver of the golf ball and his iron play is great, too.
'I think it's a golf course that sets up for his shot shapes pretty well, and I think it sets up well for mine, too. We'll see. Maybe I do well, maybe I don't.
'But I'm certainly going to give it my all, and I know Rory is. Hopefully we can have another go at it again like The Masters.'
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