Golf Fans Left Divided After Rory McIlroy Reveals Tense Moment with Bryson DeChambeau During Final Round of 2025 Masters Tournament

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau were paired together for the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament.

Golf Fans Left Divided After Rory McIlroy Reveals Tense Moment with Bryson DeChambeau During Final Round of 2025 Masters Tournament

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau (Image via Imago)

Last year, Rory McIlroy finally clinched the green jacket as he won the Masters Tournament. Ahead of his title defense in a few days, the Northern Irish golfer revealed a tense moment he had with Bryson DeChambeau in the final round in 2025.

The two golfers were the final pairing for the round on Sunday. This came a few months after McIlroy’s huge slip at the 2024 U.S. Open Championship.

In that major, McIlroy missed two close-range putts on the back nine. This opened the door for DeChambeau to come back. The LIV Golfer stunned the World No.2 and clinched the title by finishing 1 stroke ahead of him.

During the final round of the Masters last year, DeChambeau found himself on top of the leaderboard after McIlroy struggled early on. The American international, however, was unable to maintain his lead and slipped on.

McIlroy eventually went on to finish level with Justin Rose and headed into a playoff round. In this, he would make a birdie to overcome his demons of the Augusta National and claim his maiden Masters title. He also became the 6th golfer to complete the career grand slam.

After the round, DeChambeau expressed that McIlroy did not speak to him. He would then congratulate him on his victory.

Ahead of the 2026 Masters Tournament, a video from “Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait“, a documentary about McIlroy’s triumph, was shared. In this video, the 5-time major champion would reveal the tense moment he had with DeChambeau.

As per the golfer, the two of them were left confused on who would putt first on the 9th hole. To McIlroy’s surprise, DeChambeau would express to throw a tee up to decide who hits the putt first.

McIlroy would turn down this idea. Eventually, the LIV Golfer allowed the PGA Tour star to putt first.

DeChambeau would finish T5 with a 3-over 75 score. This turned out to be his best finish in the Masters Tournament.

Social media reacts to Rory McIlroy’s story regarding Bryson DeChambeau at the Masters Tournament

As Rory McIlroy prepares to defend his Masters Tournament title, a video regarding his upcoming documentary revealed the story behind him and Bryson DeChambeau. This video sparked some mixed reactions among golf fans on social media.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

While some defended McIlroy and took a shot at DeChambeau, some threw shade at the Northern Irish golfer. A few users on X called him “soft” and defended his opponent.

Check out some reactions from fans below:

Following the Masters Tournament victory, McIlroy did suffer a slight dip in form. He would finish T47 at the PGA Championship and miss the cut at the RBC Canadian Open before finishing T19 in the U.S. Open. He wrapped up his major season with a T7 finish at the Open Championship.

Rory McIlroy is having a mixed season so far in 2026

The year 2025 saw Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam by winning the Masters Tournament and winning an away Ryder Cup. The year 2026 has so far seen him have a mixed season.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Sky Sports)

He started the year with a T3 finish at the Dubai Invitational before finishing T33 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Like last year, he would make his 2026 PGA Tour debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

He was unsuccessful in the defense of his title as he finished T14. In his next start at the Genesis Invitational, the golfer picked up his first top-10 finish on the tour this year with a T2 finish, 1 shot behind the winner, Jacob Bridgeman.

The 36-year-old would have some health trouble at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. After making the cut on Friday, he would withdraw from the event on Saturday due to some back pain.

He did play at The Players Championship. In this, he did struggle a bit and with a score of 71 in the final round, he picked up a T46 finish.

His next start will be at the Masters Tournament. He will be aiming to become just the 4th player after Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods to win back-to-back green jackets and defend the title in this major competition.

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