World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has suggested he is not in favour of Rory McIlroy's response to the latest Bryson DeChambeau controversy. McIlroy spurred things on after DeChambeau was served a two-stroke penalty at The Open for interfering too much with the grass around his ball in the second round.
While others gave DeChambeau the benefit of the doubt, McIlroy was more gung-ho in saying he felt the whole ordeal felt 'performative.' However, PGA Tour superstar Scheffler made no secret of his distaste for such conduct.
Scheffler Speaks Out at 3M Open
Scheffler was quizzed at the 3M Open about McIlroy's remarks following DeChambeau's two-shot penalty at Royal Birkdale. The World No. 1 rejected the notion that golf requires personal feuds away from the action to generate compelling storylines.
'I've never been a big fan of personal jabs,' he said. 'I don't think that rivalry is a big thing in golf just because, like I said, my biggest rivalry week in and week out is the golf course.'
Scheffler outlined how golf differs fundamentally from basketball and other contact sports, as NBA players go head-to-head directly. In golf, competitors must also contend with the demands of an entire layout meticulously designed by masters of the sport.
'I felt like when I played basketball there would always be rivalries in basketball,' he added. 'Because you're going to play defence against a person and that is much more personal in a sense like because I'm actively trying to stop [them].'
DeChambeau's Penalty Controversy
DeChambeau's controversy erupted on the par-four fifth hole ahead of making the cut on Friday. His ball came to rest in dense rough and television replays appeared to show him trampling near the ball in a manner that officials determined had enhanced his backswing.
The furore dominated the broadcast and compelled USA Network to remain on air. Meanwhile, Golf Channel's Live From The Open coverage shifted into a prolonged rules discussion.
Golf Channel pundit Brandel Chamblee accused DeChambeau of 'weed wacking' the surrounding area and backed the penalty decision. Viewers subsequently witnessed DeChambeau practising on the range in darkness as the controversy raged on.
DeChambeau initially threatened to pull out of the tournament after agent Brett Falkhoff claimed he had been treated unjustly. McIlroy maintained the two-shot penalty was justified and acknowledged he isn't 'particularly fond' of DeChambeau.
The LIV Golf star's conduct pushed back some players' tee times until 6pm BST due to his heated protests. PGA players, including Justin Thomas and Marco Penge, voiced their frustrations about the hold-ups on social media.
McIlroy accused the LIV Golf star of holding The Open hostage and remarked on his behaviour towards officials: 'I think a lot of it's performative. I think a lot of it's for attention.'
DeChambeau had previously discussed McIlroy's attitude towards him during The Masters at Augusta National. There, he revealed McIlroy hadn't said a single word to him as he went on to claim his second Green Jacket.
