Bryson DeChambeau responded with a five-word dismissal to Rory McIlroy's harsh criticism at The Open, stating he was unaware of the remarks. McIlroy had launched a fierce attack on DeChambeau after the American received a two-shot penalty for improving his lie during the second round at Royal Birkdale.
McIlroy's Criticism
McIlroy, watching the incident on television in the players' lounge, did not hold back. He said: "As soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other, and we were like, 'That didn't seem right.' I won't pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I'm not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it's performative. I think a lot of it's for attention. To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn't feel like it was a good look."
DeChambeau's Response
DeChambeau, who has not spoken to the media for eight major rounds, shook his head when asked about McIlroy's comments and replied: "I have not heard anything." The 32-year-old American was penalized for trampling through tall fescue grass behind his ball before his second shot on the fifth hole, violating Rule 8.1 regarding improvement of the intended swing area.
The penalty turned DeChambeau's bogey into a triple bogey, changing his score from 66 to 68 and dropping him from outright second to tied fifth. He argued with officials on the fifth hole and allegedly threatened to withdraw, delaying tee time publication until nearly midnight.
Aftermath
On Saturday, DeChambeau was seen in a heated exchange with R&A CEO Mark Darbon while trying to retrieve his second-round scorecard, a request that was denied. He shot a third-round 69, leaving him four shots behind leader Sam Burns entering the final round on Sunday.
