The stage is set for an exciting showdown between some of golf’s biggest names.
Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy have already started stirring up the competitive tension ahead of their upcoming match.
The clash will take place at the Crypto.com Showdown on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.
McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, both PGA Tour stars, will face off against DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, who currently play on the LIV Golf circuit.
The event promises to be a high-stakes battle with a $10 million prize pot, all in cryptocurrency, and is being dubbed as an unofficial LIV vs. PGA Tour rivalry.
McIlroy’s Deeper Grudge
For McIlroy, the rivalry with DeChambeau runs even deeper, touching on some personal history.
The two first faced off in a tense US Open earlier this year, where McIlroy saw a promising performance crumble during the final few holes.
DeChambeau ended up claiming the win, his second major title, after McIlroy struggled down the stretch.
The tension between the two flared up again when they were on the driving range Monday, just before the showdown.
McIlroy couldn’t resist a bit of trash talk, saying, “I’d like to go up against Bryson and try to get him back for what he did to me at the US Open.”
DeChambeau responded quickly, “To be fair, you kind of did it to yourself.”
McIlroy’s US Open Collapse
During the final round of the US Open, McIlroy held a two-shot lead but faltered badly, posting three bogeys in the last five holes.
He also missed two relatively short putts, one from just seven feet, which ultimately cost him the win.
After DeChambeau sealed the victory, McIlroy left the course in frustration, announcing that he wouldn’t play again until the Scottish Open in July.
Later, McIlroy took to social media to reflect on the event, acknowledging the tough day he had.
“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,” he shared.
“But, as I always try to do, I’ll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives.”
Despite the disappointment, McIlroy remained optimistic about his future.
“I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have,” he said, emphasizing his resilience and commitment to bounce back.
Personal Struggles Off the Course
McIlroy’s US Open collapse occurred during a particularly turbulent period in his personal life.
Just before the tournament, he announced that he was calling off his divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll.
Only a month earlier, McIlroy had revealed that his marriage was “irretrievably broken,” and he and Erica were planning to separate.
This emotional rollercoaster off the course added to the pressure McIlroy was under during his difficult performance at the US Open.
What’s Next for McIlroy?
After such a challenging stretch, McIlroy took some time off to regroup.
He made it clear that he would take a few weeks to focus on himself before returning to competition.
His next goal? To defend his title at the Genesis Scottish Open and tackle the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Troon.
With his trademark resilience, McIlroy seems ready to put the past behind him and make a strong comeback.