Rory McIlroy got the better of Bryson DeChambeau on the final day of The Masters at Augusta National back in April.
The spat between McIlroy and LIV Golf star DeChambeau has continued on into the build-up ahead of the Ryder Cup.
So what better time than the present to look back on Ben Griffin‘s comments on the situation? Did he back his Ryder Cup teammate or take McIlroy’s side?
The Northern Irishman won The Masters in dramatic circumstances while the American toiled to end up in a tie for fifth.
Somewhat naively, DeChambeau criticised McIlroy for not speaking to him all day throughout the final round at Augusta National.
The American was widely panned for those remarks but that didn’t stop him from continuing the so-called ‘beef’ with his rival.
DeChambeau insisted he will be ‘chirping’ in McIlroy’s ear at the Ryder Cup if they come up against one another.
And the Northern Irishman fired back just a few days ago. McIlroy accused DeChambeau of using his name to garner attention.
If the two players do come face-to-face at Bethpage Black, fireworks will undoubtedly ensue.
Ben Griffin commented on Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau spat after The Masters
Griffin and DeChambeau are teammates at Bethpage this week.
They will both be doing everything in their power to get the better of McIlroy and his European teammates at the Ryder Cup.
However, following the spat between the American and the Northern Irishman after The Masters, was Griffin team DeChambeau or team McIlroy?
When asked about the experience of playing alongside Scottie Scheffler during an appearance on the Fore Play Podcast Plus back in June, Griffin touched upon the controversy involving DeChambeau and McIlroy.
He said: “It’s a really cool environment. We did not talk to each other really at all, which I thought was great. Me and Scottie are pretty good friends, we talk to each other in the work out room before and in the PT room the night before.
“But during a round I think both of us were just focused on business, which I thought was awesome. I think you go back and Bryson DeChambeau got asked a question like how was the talks with Rory and he was like yeah he wouldn’t talk to me. It’s like in the final group, in every one I have been in it’s not very chatty. You are focused on trying to win a golf tournament and the moment you start getting chatty it takes away from what you are trying to do.
“So it was all business. It was a lot of good execution. Down the stretch it was really cool, we both hit some really insane shots, but most of the round was just solid back and forth, trading pars, both of us missed a short putt early which happens and then down the stretch it got really fun going back and forth with shots on 15 and 16. Ultimately I didn’t take care of 17 and got a little crazy, a little out of my element but it was a good learning experience.“
Griffin may be wishing that he had not made those remarks now, given the fact that he’s sharing a team room with DeChambeau!
Bryson DeChambeau vs Rory McIlroy is the dream Ryder Cup clash
What golf fans would give to see the American and the Northern Irishman face off against each other at Bethpage Black this week.
McIlroy usually goes out in the third match in the Ryder Cup singles, aside from two years ago when he moved to the fourth slot to avoid more controversy with Patrick Cantlay and his caddie Joe LaCava.
So if both Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald want to see the match that us golf fans do, it will be pretty easy to facilitate.
However, there’s a good chance that neither captain will want their players to be forced into competing with the added pressure of a fierce rivalry rumbling on in the background.
That said, they could still come up against one another in the foursomes or four-ball matches.
Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy are box-office stars, and the Ryder Cup will provide them both with the stage to showcase their talents to the world.
The 4th edition of the Ryder Cup cannot come soon enough.
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