Bryson DeChambeau has revealed he was brutally snubbed by Rory McIlroy on his way to winning the Masters for the first time and completing a coveted Grand Slam.
McIlroy finally got his hands on the green jacket after triumphing at Augusta National to win his fifth major and his first since 2014 - some 3,898 days ago.
The Northern Irishman joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player in the elite Grand Slam club and earned a record £3.2 million in prize money.
The 35-year-old found his form after a difficult start and had a two-shot lead going into the final round on Sunday. But the victory was not without drama as McIlroy blew a four-shot lead and missed a putt to secure the win before prevailing in a sudden death play-off against Justin Rose with a birdie on the first bonus 18th hole.
Advert
McIlroy was full of emotion after finally winning the trophy that has always evaded him, dropping to his knees.
McIlroy was completely locked in, to the point where he didn't even converse with his playing partner DeChambeau on the last day.
The two looked set to be in a straight shoot-out for the Masters but DeChambeau, who has played golf with Donald Trump, ended up finishing tied for fifth with Im Sung-jae on seven-under.
Asked how McIlroy was feeling after the win, DeChambeau said: "No idea. I didn't talk to him once all day. He wouldn't talk to me."
Fans were divided by McIlroy staying silent, with one on X posting: "He was in the zone, no distraction".
Another slammed McIlroy, commenting: "Rory night be the worst sportsman in all of athletics."
A third user stated: "Tiger would do the same thing. Smart."
While a fourth person added: "Thats dumb... I get locked in.. but not a word.. come on."
The pair took very different approaches at Augusta, with DeChambeau embracing the crowd and delivering fist bumps to fans while McIlroy ignored outstretched hands and stayed in his "cocoon" as he tried to avoid a repeat of previous collapses.
DeChambeau said McIlroy was "just being focused" and his way of doing things ultimately led to him getting the job done.
Rory McIlroy had 'ironic' note in his locker before Masters win
Though he didn't converse with DeChambeau, McIlroy did speak to the media afterwards and revealed he had a special note from 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera, who was his playing partner back in the 2011 iteration when he led the way before crumbling and finishing tied in 15th place.
"You know, since 2011, I think it's so ironic, as well. I got to my locker this morning and I opened it up, and there was a note in there from Angel Cabrera, and just wishing me luck," McIlroy said.
"And Angel Cabrera was the player I played with on the final day in 2011, it was a nice touch and a little bit ironic at the same time. It's been 14 long years, but thankfully I got the job done."
Cabrera made his golf comeback at Augusta after spending 30 months in prison, having being found guilty of assault, theft and illegal intimidation.
Topics: Golf, Rory Mcilroy, Fan Reactions
Josh Lawless