Rory McIlroy can achieve Bryson DeChambeau goal as LIV Golf star pays ultimate price
Bryson DeChambeau broke Rory McIlroy's heart at the US Open, but the Northern Irishman has an opportunity to do something the American desperately wants to do
Rory McIlroy can get one over Bryson DeChambeau by winning an Olympic gold medal in Paris.
The LIV Golf star broke McIlroy's heart at Pinehurst when he chased the Northern Irishman down to win the US Open. McIlroy ended a nerve-jangling final round by scoring three bogeys in the final four holes, which DeChambeau capitalised on.
McIlroy took a three week hiatus from golf to get his head around his latest disappointment in a major. Yet, DeChambeau is also dealing with a golf heartbreak himself, as he did not qualify for the United States' team that will compete in the Paris Olympics.
DeChambeau's decision to sign a purported $125million (£96.42m) deal to join the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund backed competition has cost him his opportunity to compete in the French capital. Meanwhile, McIlroy will be representing Ireland in the competition with Shane Lowry, Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow.
When asked about the prospect of winning a gold medal, McIlroy told the Guardian: “In the wider context of how people would see me and what it would do for my legacy or career? I don’t know.
"I would be unbelievably proud to get any medal in Paris. A gold medal would be one of the proudest moments of my career.”
When he moved to LIV, DeChambeau lost out on the opportunity to compete in events that contribute to his position in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). He entered the US Open as the 38th ranked player, which was a huge jump from his ranking of 155 in the 2023 season.
LIV Golf events are not recognised by the OWGR as it rejects the Tour's 54-hole format, has a small turnover within the field and the guarantees of inclusion for players no matter how they perform.
The only way he can earn any OWGR points is if he takes part at major events. Despite his victory at Pinehurst, he was not able to displace the other Americans at the top of the rankings.
They will be represented by World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, defending gold medallist Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark. In the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Matt Kuchar won a bronze, while Schauffele won gold in Tokyo.
While DeChambeau is enjoying all of the financial riches from competing at LIV, he admitted that he was desperate to play for the USA at the Olympics. “I would love to represent the United States,” DeChambeau said during a previous appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show' on ESPN.
“It was tough for me not to go last time around cause of COVID and it was just one of those that happened. Hopefully one day this game of golf will get figured out and come back together and I’ll be able to play. I’m playing great golf, I’m excited.
“Ultimately, am I frustrated, disappointed? Sure, you can absolutely say that, but I made the choices that I made and there’s consequences to that, and I respect it, but hopefully sooner rather than later we figure that out.”
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