DcChambeau wants to 'beat living you know what' out of McIlroy every time he plays him

It's great if we can continue to have a rivalry, claims US star.

FRIENDLY RIVALRY: Rory McIlroy shakes hands with Bryson DeChambeau on the 18th green after the final round of the 2025 Masters at Augusta National. Pic: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Bryson DeChambeau admits he wants to "beat the living you know what" out of Rory McIlroy every time he plays him.

The pair's rivalry appeared to peak during the final day of last year's Masters when DeChambeau alleged the Holywood man did not speak to him for the entire round when they were paired together in the last group.

McIlroy's psychologist Bob Rotella had advised him to make his American opponent "invisible" as he started the day with a two-shot lead over his playing partner.

But that plan came unstuck after McIlroy revealed an exchange on the ninth green when there was a dispute over whose birdie putt was the furthest away.

DeChambeau wanted to toss a tee to decide but McIlroy said he offered to call a rules official, at which point his opponent relented.

McIlroy putted first and holed and DeChambeau missed, leaving him four adrift of the world number two who went on to win his first Masters and complete the career Grand Slam, with the American finishing in a tie for fifth.

It provided additional satisfaction for McIlroy, who was beaten to the 2024 US Open title by one shot by DeChambeau.

"It's great if we can continue to have a rivalry. I don't see any problem with that," said DeChambeau.

"If anything, it kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf. Do I respect him as an individual? 100%.

"Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely. There's no question about it.

"But I think that's what's so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him.

"It's one of those things like I got him at Pinehurst, he got me here, and I hope there's more of those to come because it's great for the game."

DeChambeau, a two-time major winner, is known for his analytical approach to the game — earning him the nickname 'The Scientist' — from using shafts all the same length to bulking up to add power and length to his game.

But he is now taking it even further as, having been heavily involved in the development of his equipment with previous supplier LA Golf, he is now building his own clubs.

"I think it's the willingness to always try to improve," he added.

"There's this nature that I have about myself where innovation is a habit of mine and I really find and take pride in that ability to learn, even through failure, even through making a bad decision or a good decision, what I can get from that.

"South Africa (where he won the LIV event last month) I was trying wedges. I was going quite a bit down a rabbit hole there and figured a couple of cool things out. Hopefully it helps this week.

"Then I am working on irons, building irons, building a driver, so we'll see where it goes. All I could say now is if I don't put them in the bag, it's my fault now.

"It's my own personal clubs I'm building with myself."

World number one Scottie Scheffler arrived at Augusta with nine-day-old son Remy but insists the new arrival will not impact his performance this week.

"I'm getting plenty of sleep. My wife's a trooper," said Scheffler, whose first son Bennett was born a month after his second Masters victory in 2024.

"Having a newborn is always an interesting thing but Remy is so young right now, they sleep a lot of the day. I've been able to get a decent amount of sleep."