After Bryson DeChambeau appeared to criticise Rory McIlroy for their lack of conversation at the Masters, Justin Thomas has appeared to take a side.
Justin Thomas offered his honest thoughts on Bryson DeChambeau’s gripe with Rory McIlroy(Image: @PardonMyTakePodcast/Youtube)
Justin Thomas made it clear that Rory McIlroy was not in the wrong for refusing to speak to Bryson DeChambeau at the Masters. McIlroy, 35, finally ended his 11-year major drought and sealed the career Grand Slam with a victory at Augusta on April 14.
The Northern Irishman was in the zone throughout the final round, edging out Justin Rose in a heart-stopping play-off hole to claim the major. McIlroy’s triumph was met with elation across the golfing community, many of whom were eager to see him break his Major dry spell.
Yet, DeChambeau, who was McIlroy’s closest competitor until he fell away and allowed Rose to overtake him, appeared to have a gripe with the Holywood native. The American was unhappy with McIlroy, saying the World No.2 refused to speak to him throughout the final round.
When asked about DeChambeau’s comments, Thomas suggested the Californian was unreasonable with his criticism. While speaking on the Pardon My Take podcast, Thomas was questioned whether players converse on the course or simply focus on their game.
He said: “They do (their own thing), especially when it is a twosome. I think when it is a threesome, it’s way slower and it’s different.
“Like, you have way more time to wait and you just happen to talk more. When it is a twosome, there are times where, someone hits it this way and someone hits it the other way and you’re going your separate way with your caddie.
McIlroy was in the zone throughout the final round(Image: Getty Images)
“Also, I’m not really out there to have a big conversation. You’ll catch up here and there. But I’d say that’s pretty normal amongst everybody that we’re just out there, trying to take care of business.”
DeChambeau praised McIlroy’s display but appeared to be rather peeved with the lack of conversation he had with the World No. 2. When asked how his rival was feeling soon after McIlroy was given a green jacket, a brusque DeChambeau replied: “No idea. [McIlroy] Didn’t talk to me once all day. He wouldn’t talk to me.”
DeChambeau has since clarified his comments, stating that he didn’t intend to come across as bitter and has no problem with McIlroy. In an interview with Athlon Sports, he explained: “He was just being stoic the whole day.
“There was nothing more. I was like, he just didn’t talk to me. It wasn’t a slight; there’s no beef or anything.
DeChambeau went on to clarify his comments, insisting he was not having a swipe at McIlroy(Image: Getty Images)
“It was like what Tiger [Woods] did to Tony [Finau, in 2019]. It’s the same combo, but it wasn’t meant to be in a bad way, and that’s how things happen. I wish people would not interpret things, but, you know, people will do that.”
When asked about McIlroy’s performance, DeChambeau said: “He deserved this one. He fought his butt off and absolutely did what he needed to do to win.
“It looks scary sometimes, but it was a rollercoaster for everybody. And, you know, we gave everybody a rollercoaster last year at the US Open. He did it this year at the Masters. So, it was fun to be a part of history.”
