Rory McIlroy torches Bryson DeChambeau for British Open antics: 'I'm not particularly fond of him'

At the 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale, Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty for improperly improving his swing path, and subsequently threatened to withdraw from the tournament. After his third round, Rory McIlroy publicly criticized DeChambeau's behavior, stating he believed DeChambeau had clearly improved his backswing line and that he is 'not particularly fond of him.' The remarks highlight the ongoing tension between the two players, who were also paired together during the final round of the 2025 Masters.