Rory McIlroy has a love-hate relationship with LIV Golf, and we all have been witnesses to his statements regarding the Saudi-backed league. Despite keeping up with the merger talks, he said, “I don’t think it’s ever felt that close, but I don’t, it doesn’t feel like it’s any closer.” However, if he’s been cool about one particular LIV golfer, then it has to be Bryson DeChambeau. We all know what happened at the 2024 U.S. Open between the two.
Then, McIlroy was leading by two strokes with five to play but made three bogeys in the final four holes. The result? he missed out on his first major in 10 years. Skip to the end of the 2024 season, and they were present at The Showdown. What happens?
They crack jokes. LIV Golf published a video of the duo practicing at the Shadow Creek Club. McIlroy said he wanted to get back at DeChambeau for the U.S. Open loss: “I’d like to go up against Bryson and get him back for what he did to me at the US Open.” What does DeChambeau do? He takes a dig at him. “To be fair, you kind of did that to yourself.” Instead of taking offense, he took a moment and replied with a deadpan, “I don’t really know where to go from there.” Funny? So, it’s no wonder the two will be seen in the upcoming Happy Gilmore 2.
Rory McIlroy is currently active at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. So, how was his experience working in the film? Rory McIlroy answered it as excitedly as we hoped he would! “Yeah, it was amazing. I spent two weeks up there. Just really cool to — I did it with — spent a lot of time with Scottie and Brooks and Bryson, sort of the four of us that were up there and filming a lot of the same scenes.”
“Yeah, really cool to be — Happy Gilmore was one of my favorite movies growing up. To be acting alongside — well, “acting,” I don’t know if you could call it acting, we’ll wait and see — with Sandler and all the rest of the cast, it was an unbelievable experience. I certainly do not have a future in movies or acting, but it was an amazing experience.”
Brooks Koepka and McIlroy also share a good relationship. Last year, the LIV golfer talked fondly of McIlroy. “Yeah, Rory’s a good dude. We’ve had some good talks. We get some good laughs out of it because everybody just — all the stuff going on in golf, sometimes you just have to sit there and laugh.” It would be really nice to see all of them together.
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But hold on! This isn’t the first time McIlroy has mentioned Happy Gilmore. Back in 2021, he sent Sandler a video clip celebrating the film’s 25 years, thanked Sandler for “all the laughs you’ve given us over the years,” and added that Happy Gilmore is one of his favorite movies. Similarly, Scottie Scheffler was active during the press conference and said he’s excited to be a part of the film. Will we see them interacting more in the future, with the film’s promotions coming? Well, that is yet to be seen. However, until then, know that things seem pretty cool between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau despite the ongoing LIV Golf and PGA Tour war.
Rory McIlroy shares good feelings for Bryson DeChambeau despite the merger block
Rory McIlroy is as tired as the rest of us when it comes to the news regarding the LIV Golf and the PGA Tour merger. In the last couple of years, we have reached nowhere in this particular regard. Consequently, it was no surprise when the World No. 2 said the best way is to bring back banned card-holders such as Bryson DeChambeau. Back in February, the star golfer said he didn’t care if “people were b*tt-hurt” because some golfers left for the Saudi-backed league. Additionally, he brought up the point that LIV Golf’s appearance has certainly helped all of them. At least the big golfers.
Additionally, when it comes to the topic of Bryson DeChambeau, he said that he doesn’t mind if they return to the Tour, as long as they have the status. “Having Bryson DeChambeau come back and play on this tour is good.”
Honestly, DeChambeau has been one of the popular golfers the Tour is looking to have back. Not surprised. And this wasn’t the last time McIlroy mentioned him. In the latest Full Swing season, he mentioned the LIV golfer again. And what did he say? Good things only. “Bryson is exactly what the game of golf needs right now. I would certainly like the opportunity to play against him a little more often if I could. You know, he’s made the game of golf more exciting this year.”
Hollywood has surely managed to bring some of the biggest golf stars together, but when will the golf organizations manage that? We will see, folks!
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