Rory McIlroy Takes Fresh Shot at Bryson DeChambeau Over 2027 Future
· Yahoo Sports
Rory McIlroy has taken another shot at Bryson DeChambeau while discussing the American’s uncertain future in professional golf. The Northern Irishman believes the former LIV Golf star does not have many options if he wants to continue playing competitive golf in 2027.
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DeChambeau has been left without a clear playing future following LIV Golf’s collapse, with the Saudi-backed league set to wind down its operations after failing to secure the funding needed to continue. The two-time U.S. Open champion now has to decide where he wants to play next season, with the DP World Tour offering him a possible route.
McIlroy made the comments ahead of this week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where he is hoping to secure another Race to Dubai title.
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Rory McIlroy Gives Blunt Assessment of Bryson DeChambeau’s Options
McIlroy was asked about DeChambeau and the possibility of him joining the DP World Tour in 2027. The 2025 Masters champion acknowledged that the American would bring attention to tournaments but also made it clear that his options were limited.
Bryson DeChambeau. Mandatory Credit: Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters via Imagn Images“Yeah, look, I think a name like Bryson DeChambeau and everything he brings with him, good and bad, he brings eyeballs, which is a good thing for tournaments….”
“And honestly, look, I’m certainly not in his shoes, and nor would I ever want to be but it doesn’t seem like he’s got many options. You know, if he wants to play competitive golf, it doesn’t seem like he’s got many options…”
It is another interesting comment from McIlroy, who has not always seen eye to eye with DeChambeau. However, his latest remarks also show that he recognizes the attention the American could bring to the European circuit.
DeChambeau is eligible for DP World Tour membership for the 2027 season following his victory at the 2024 U.S. Open. However, he has only six days left to make a decision on whether to take up the opportunity.
The 32-year-old has yet to confirm his plans, although he has already committed to playing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa in December. He also recently addressed LIV Golf’s collapse but did not reveal where he intends to compete beyond that appearance.
McIlroy Eyes Another Race to Dubai Title
While DeChambeau’s future remains uncertain, McIlroy has his own business to take care of in Dubai this week. The Northern Irishman enters the DP World Tour Championship second in the Race to Dubai standings and has another opportunity to finish the season on top.
A victory this week would give him his fifth consecutive Race to Dubai title and eighth overall. That would also see him equal Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight season-long titles.
McIlroy has dominated the European Tour’s season-long competition in recent years, but he will need a strong finish in Dubai to complete another successful campaign.
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Meanwhile, DeChambeau’s decision could become one of the biggest talking points in golf as players begin to make plans for 2027. The DP World Tour remains a possible destination, but the American has yet to reveal whether he will accept membership.
For now, McIlroy has made his position clear. He believes DeChambeau brings plenty of attention to tournaments, but he also thinks the American has limited choices if he wants to keep competing at the highest level.
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