Golf news as Rory McIlroy reaches out to Bryson DeChambeau and major winner suffers another setback
Rory McIlroy has had plenty to say about Bryson DeChambeau(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
The golfing world continues to spin following an eventful Open Championship. Ryan Fox kept his head while all around him were losing theirs to make his major breakthrough at the age of 39 with a birdie at the last for a one-shot victory at Royal Birkdale.
The New Zealander was one of only three players in the final 12 groups to shoot under par on a chaotic final day. The son of former All Blacks star Grant became his country’s second Open champion after Sir Bob Charles in 1963.
The Open also made the headlines for Bryson DeChambeau’s conduct and Rory McIlroy’s damning comments about the American. While McIlroy enjoys a break from the game, DeChambeau has stayed in the UK to play in the LIV Golf UK event at the JCB Country Club.
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour continues with the 3M Open, where world number one Scheffler is part of the field. Here’s a round-up of the latest golf news…
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McIlroy sends DeChambeau invite
McIlroy has sent a surprise invitation to DeChambeau despite his brutal comments about his conduct at The Open. The Masters champion let rip at DeChambeau after the LIV Golf star was docked two shots for a rules violation during his second round.
Incensed by the punishment, DeChambeau requested to be driven out to the scene of the incident on the fifth hole, where he spent a lengthy period remonstrating with officials before returning to the scoring compound for further discussions.
The saga delayed the publication of the third-round tee times until around 11pm and prompted criticism from several players, including McIlroy, who accused DeChambeau of holding the tournament “hostage” and called his antics “performative.” He also dropped in that he was “not particularly fond” of the 32-year-old.
Despite those words, McIlroy insists DeChambeau would be a welcome his addition to the field at September’s Irish Open, which will be held at the Donald Trump-owned Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg.
DeChambeau is friends with Trump and reportedly threatened to call the US President amid his spat with R&A officials at Birkdale. Therefore, there is speculation that he could make an appearance at the Irish Open, which would be welcomed by defending champion McIlroy, who said: “I mean, I think that would be great for the tournament, absolutely. Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open, yeah, it would be great for the tournament.”
DeChambeau could play at Donald Trump’s course in Ireland(Image: Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)
Day withdraws
Former world number one Jason Day has been forced to pull out of the 3M Open due to an ongoing back injury. The Australian, who missed the cut at The Open, withdrew during the first round of the US Open with a similar issue.
He was replaced in the field at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota by Charley Hoffman. Meanwhile, Scheffler made a strong start with a six-under par first round to sit three shots off the lead.
Jason Day’s injury woes have continued(Image: Getty Images)
Scheffler, who finished tied fourth at Birkdale, began on the 10th and reached the turn at two under before picking up four more birdies in a blemish-free 65, holing 134 feet of putts in his first appearance at the tournament.
American Ben Kohles finished with an eagle three on the 18th to end two shots clear at the top of the leaderboard at nine under. Emiliano Grillo, Jackson Koivun and Gary Woodland, who hit rounds of 64, are in a share of second place.
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