What Bryson DeChambeau said about Rory McIlroy after beating him at the US Open last year has come true in 2025

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For most golf fans, the best moment of 2024 was witnessing Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy’s epic battle at the US Open at Pinehurst.

DeChambeau was the one to come out on top that day in the most dramatic of fashion as he played a stunning bunker shot to set up a tap in for the win, while two missed putts inside three feet cost McIlroy big time.

At the time, the story dominated golf as McIlroy memorably stormed off from the course while DeChambeau celebrated wildly with his newfound legion of fans.

• READ MORE: Rex Hoggard picks who is more likely to win the US Open at Oakmont out of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm

Still, DeChambeau remained humble in victory and speaking to the press afterwards, he made sure to make a point about McIlroy’s career.

And in doing so, it looks like Bryson was spot on with what he said about McIlroy.

Bryson DeChambeau proven right with 2024 comments on Rory McIlroy

With DeChambeau winning the US Open in 2024, it marked his second major win and first since he won the event himself in 2020.

That was a four year stretch for DeChambeau but still, a way off McIlroy going 11 years before finally winning his fifth major and The Masters this year.

And interestingly enough, DeChambeau called it at the time in regards to McIlroy getting that win.

“I’m sure it will fuel Rory’s fire even more. He’s a strong-minded individual,” DeChambeau said at the time.

“For me, it was knowing how good my game is, how great of a place it’s in, and just continuing to execute knowing the statistics would eventually fall my way. Still hope. Golf, it’s a game of luck. There’s a lot of luck that has to happen and go your way out there.

“I knew if I could give my 100% effort on every single shot, I’d give myself a good chance this week, just like I did at the PGA, just like I did at the Masters. Rory is going to do it. I’d love to have a lot more battles with him. It would be a lot of fun. But, yeah, Rory’s going to do it at some point.”

• READ MORE: What happened in the US Open at Oakmont when Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer faced off in an 18-hole playoff

Why Bryson DeChambeau could be Scottie Scheffler’s biggest threat at Oakmont

While we all know the rough and the greens are going to be hard work at Oakmont, there’s also expected to be some damp and wet weather, meaning the course will play longer.

That could well play into DeChambeau’s hands as long as he doesn’t find the deep rough consistently and leaves himself with shots into the greens.

While we all expect Scottie Scheffler to be his usual accurate self and find fairway after fairway, DeChambeau could counter-punch that accuracy with his length.

DeChambeau also seems to thrive at the US Open and if he’s anywhere near being in the mix come the weekend, we can expect him to be a big problem.