Overview

• Rory McIlroy intentionally avoided speaking to Bryson DeChambeau during the final round of the 2025 Masters, a tactic confirmed by his psychologist as a focus strategy.
• Bryson DeChambeau expressed discomfort with McIlroy’s silence, stating it was unusual and not reflective of his own approach to the game.
• Commentators and analysts are divided, with some criticizing DeChambeau’s remarks as self-centered while others defend his public persona as genuine.
• The incident has reignited discussions about the historical use of silence as a mental strategy in high-stakes golf, with examples involving Tiger Woods and Trevor Immelman cited as precedent.
• Underlying tensions between McIlroy and DeChambeau, stemming from past major finishes and their opposing loyalties to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, add further context to the polarized reactions.