No love lost between Rory McIlroy and Bryson de Chambeau amid LIV Golf's collapse

It's no secret that McIlroy isn't a fan of DeChambeau, in fact he said as much during the American's two-shot penalty chaos at the 2026 Open Championship.

But now DeChambeau is facing a challenge of a different kind as LIV Golf comes to an end. Currently, the PGA Tour has a year-long penalty (among a plethora of financial punishments) in place for returnees from LIV Golf. The DP World Tour does not, and he could technically tee off next season.

But does DeChambeau even want to play in Europe in 2027, or at all? In an interview in May, he claimed he would focus on growing his YouTube channel and playing in the "tournaments that want me" should LIV Golf fold. Now, the end is nigh, and McIlroy is watching.

But despite the tension between them, the Northern Irishman admits that DeChambeau attracts fans to the game.

"Yeah, look, I think a name like Bryson DeChambeau and everything he brings with him, good and bad, he brings eyeballs, which is a good thing for tournaments," McIlroy told reporters Tuesday ahead of this week's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

"And honestly, look, I'm certainly not in his shoes - and nor would I ever want to be - but it doesn't seem like he's got many options. You know, if he wants to play competitive golf, it doesn't seem like he's got many options."