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Golf Aug 31, 2026

The Open: Rory McIlroy right to criticise Bryson DeChambeau 'circus' - should players have to speak with the media?

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
The Open: Rory McIlroy right to criticise Bryson DeChambeau 'circus' - should players have to speak with the media?

I think Bryson DeChambeau is entertaining and is always box office, but this caper at The Open this week was not for me.

Rory McIlroy has always been the one that has been sticking up for the PGA Tour and I think he just gets fed up with the likes of DeChambeau. I just think he's had enough of the circus and I don't blame him.

I don't think it was the rules infringement itself that annoyed McIlroy, his main focus I thought was the fact that DeChambeau said 'I'm not going to play' and it delayed the draw.

McIlroy was very clever in his wording. He said a few of the guys were up in the player lounge and saw it in real time, so they weren't surprised that there was a problem in the scorer's tent.

The speculation on Friday evening that DeChambeau was not going to play over the weekend was pathetic. That's putting yourself above the game and saying you think you're more important than the game and The Open. He's not and if we can still play without Tiger Woods, I think the game's doing alright.

In my mind, speaking to the media was part of the job. In my day, when I was decent, every single round you were asked questions after the round and you answered them - that's what you're supposed to do.

Sometimes it's very difficult when you've just shot five over, blown a tournament, and media want to speak to you. I think that's more understandable, but he was doing really well at Royal Birkdale and still refusing.

I know he's missed a cut in the majors and that's where we're seeing him more, but he's made this point of not talking to the media. It needs to be 'keep this up and you will not be invited back' - that would be my line, because I think it's unacceptable.

As professional sports people, this is part of the job. The media is part of the job and you either embrace it and get on with it, or you cause problems the way he's causing problems.

Clumsy would be my assessment of McIlroy's week. The good shots have been amazing, and the ninth hole has been ridiculous, but every time he makes a step forward, he has made a step backwards.

I'm not sure I ever fancied McIlroy this week anyway, just because the course was so hard and fast and I really don't think that suits him. He has given it everything, like he always does, but hit too many poor shots and his putting has not been good enough.

I don't think he putts particularly well on what would be perceived as slow greens and, on these greens, he has not holed enough putts. His chipping hasn't been as sharp but I'd say ball-striking-wise it's been okay.

If you've won one of four majors you've had a brilliant season in the majors, so I think he'd be happy with one, although he would have loved two! There's so many good players now that you can't be disappointed with just one major.

He's got very high standards though and he potentially would have expected a couple. Our expectations of him and what he can actually produce is a little bit skewed really, but he makes it look easy sometimes.

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