Rory McIlroy’s Genesis Invitational behavior speaks volumes about Bryson DeChambeau dynamic

Interestingly, McIlroy did not approach his battle with Bridgeman in the same way as with DeChambeau at the Masters.

The two playing partners were spotted chatting to each other on the 12th fairway at the Riviera Country Club.

Of course, McIlroy would have felt much less pressure to win the Genesis Invitational than the Masters, but his approach could still be telling.

Indeed, it suggests that focus may not have been the only reason he did not speak to DeChambeau at Augusta.

It is plausible that McIlroy simply had no interest in speaking to his closest rival, with whom he seemingly does not get along.

Rory McIlroy’s and Bryson DeChambeau’s comments on Masters situation

Shortly after the final round at The Masters, DeChambeau was asked whether he spoke to McIlroy throughout the day.

“Didn’t talk to me once all day,” he replied. “[The atmosphere was] was electric. I loved it. But he was just like… just being focused, I guess. It’s not me, though.”

DeChambeau appeared frustrated with the lack of conversation from his playing partner, but McIlroy gave a reasonable explanation.

“I don’t know what he was expecting,” he said. “We’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not going to try to be his best mate out there.

“Look, everyone approaches the game in different ways. Yeah, like I was focused on myself and what I needed to do. That’s really all that it was.

“It wasn’t anything against him or against… It’s just I felt that’s what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.”

But after his friendly approach towards Bridgeman at the Genesis Invitational, perhaps there is more to McIlroy keeping his distance from DeChambeau than we first thought.