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McIlroy slams DeChambeau's 'pure theater' over British Open penalty
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

McIlroy slams DeChambeau's 'pure theater' over British Open penalty

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Rory McIlroy criticized Bryson DeChambeau's reaction to a penalty at the British Open as "pure theater."
  • McIlroy stated DeChambeau's actions were an attempt to "hold the tournament hostage."
  • DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty for inadvertently clearing rough for a better stance, a decision McIlroy deemed justified.

Rory McIlroy has sharply criticized fellow golfer Bryson DeChambeau, describing his response to a penalty at the British Open as "pure theater" and an attempt to "hold the tournament hostage."

I think a lot of it is pure theater and for attention.

— Rory McIlroyMcIlroy described DeChambeau's reaction to his penalty as "pure theater."

McIlroy, the world number two, stated that the two-stroke penalty imposed on DeChambeau was "totally justified." The penalty stemmed from DeChambeau inadvertently clearing away rough to improve his stance during the second round at Royal Birkdale. "I'm not going to pretend to be here to defend Bryson. I don't particularly like him. I think a lot of it is pure theater and for attention," McIlroy told reporters after his third round.

McIlroy further elaborated on his frustration, saying, "Holding the tournament hostage like that and making all of us, the players, volunteers, everyone wait around for him to go off, I didn't think that was a great look." DeChambeau, who had finished the second round in second place, was notified of the sanction shortly after. His reaction, which included an apparent threat to withdraw, delayed the release of tee times for the penultimate day, causing discontent among some players.

Holding the tournament hostage like that and making all of us, the players, volunteers, everyone wait around for him to go off, I didn't think that was a great look.

— Rory McIlroyMcIlroy criticized DeChambeau's actions for delaying the tournament schedule.

DeChambeau eventually accepted the penalty and continued in the tournament, though he expressed disappointment. This incident adds to the ongoing tension between McIlroy and DeChambeau, particularly since DeChambeau's move to the Saudi-backed LIV league in 2022.

But that's the way it is. This fires me up.

— Bryson DeChambeauDeChambeau's comment on X after accepting the penalty.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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