Rory McIlroy has sharply criticised Bryson DeChambeau after an incident in the second round of the 2026 Open Championship. McIlroy said he is not especially fond of DeChambeau and suggested the American's reaction to a two-stroke penalty was more about attracting attention than dealing with the ruling itself.
The comments followed discussions between DeChambeau and tournament officials after the penalty was applied. According to the report, those exchanges delayed the release of tee times, adding another layer of disruption to an already tense situation at the major.
McIlroy's remarks underline the friction that can emerge when high-profile rulings affect leading players during one of golf's biggest events. His assessment framed DeChambeau's conduct as performative, turning the focus away from the competition and onto the debate over the decision.
The episode has added fresh intrigue to the 2026 Open Championship, with attention now split between the leaderboard and the fallout from the penalty. McIlroy's blunt verdict ensures the disagreement involving DeChambeau and officials will remain a major talking point around the tournament.
