When it was all said and done, Rory McIlroy got the last laugh and then some over Bryson DeChambeau and all of Team USA at the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy, despite facing vitriolic verbal abuse from the galleries at Bethpage Black all weekend, was the emotional leader of Team Europe in its historic Ryder Cup win. Not only did he shut up the American crowds, he earned a decisive win in his blossoming rivalry with DeChambeau after a contentious leadup to the event.
It should have come as no surprise that McIlroy trolled DeChambeau one final time during Ryder Cup celebrations by placing a European flag over DeChambeau’s name on some signing at Bethpage Black.
While McIlroy did the honors, as you can see in the video, credit for the idea should go to Matt Fitzpatrick, who clearly gave his five-time major winner teammate inspiration for the gesture.
How 2024, 2025 Golf Seasons Ignited Rory-Bryson Rivalry
If you were to look back over the last two years in men’s professional golf, you almost have to start with McIlroy and DeChambeau as the two most important figures in golf outside of Scottie Scheffler. And honestly, for as good as Scheffler is and as much as he succeeded, it’s hard to say he moves the needle like McIlroy and DeChambeau.
Their rivalry really kicked into gear at the 2024 U.S. Open where DeChambeau held off the hard-charging McIlroy for his second career major. McIlroy had a chance and probably should have won but a pair of backbreaking missed putts on Sunday cost him a chance to win. DeChambeau then needled him over it after the season as the two were involved in a made-for-TV exhibition match.
McIlroy got revenge in 2025, winning the Masters with DeChambeau next to him in the final-round pairing at Augusta National. It was what was said — or what wasn’t said — that really made it clear there was some underlying tension between the two, and that only intensified as the Ryder Cup approached.
And while the two didn’t directly cross paths over three days of battle at Bethpage, DeChambeau did find himself in the middle of the tensest moment among competitors during Saturday four-ball play when he got it into it with Team Europe’s Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood.
McIlroy’s Last Laugh Icing on Cake of Historic Season
That McIlroy was able to get the final point in the DeChambeau rivalry was an added bonus to what has to be considered the greatest season of the legend’s career. He completed the career grand slam with the Masters win, and that came after picking up wins at Pebble Beach and The Players.
McIlroy made it clear that a road Ryder Cup would be extra special to him, and he backed up his called shot from 2023 in Rome. He was sensational at Bethpage Black, particularly on Friday and Saturday, and especially given all that was swirling around him. The Bryson of it all took a backseat eventually, and McIlroy instead faced his ugliest battles with the crowd.
On multiple occasions, he gave it back to the fans, which is certainly understandable, especially following an incident with his wife at one point, too.
“Add the natural Ryder Cup bloodlust that turns every opposing player into prey, and McIlroy had willingly cast himself as chief antagonist,” Joel Beall wrote for Golf Digest. “He embraced the role with theatrical flair—blowing mocking kisses to the first-tee grandstands, flexing defiantly after holed putts, goading the masses with every gesture. It was a badge of honor; they only hate who they fear.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post How Rory McIlroy Trolled Bryson DeChambeau in Ryder Cup Celebration appeared first on Heavy Sports.