Bryson DeChambeau has finally responded after Rory McIlroy launched a scathing attack over his controversial penalty drama at The Open Championship—but his answer consisted of just five words.
As DeChambeau left the scorer’s area following his third-round 69 at Royal Birkdale, he was asked whether he had heard McIlroy’s outspoken criticism of his conduct during the tournament.
After a brief pause, the two-time U.S. Open champion replied:
“I have not heard anything.”
The five-word response came just hours after McIlroy criticized DeChambeau’s handling of the controversy surrounding his two-shot penalty, accusing the LIV Golf star of creating unnecessary drama.
McIlroy said he believed the R&A made the correct decision after ruling that DeChambeau had inadvertently improved the area of his intended swing on the fifth hole during the second round.
The Northern Irishman also suggested the incident had disrupted the championship.
“I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention,” McIlroy said.
He added:
“To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look.”
The R&A’s decision changed DeChambeau’s second-round score from 66 to 68, dropping him from one shot behind the lead to three shots back.
Despite initially expressing frustration with the ruling and briefly raising doubts about whether he would continue in the tournament, DeChambeau ultimately returned for the third round and carded a 69 to remain in contention.
His brief response to McIlroy suggests he is choosing not to engage publicly with the criticism as he focuses on the final round.
Heading into Sunday, DeChambeau sits at six-under-par, four shots behind leader Sam Burns, as he continues his pursuit of a maiden Open Championship title.
Whether DeChambeau addresses McIlroy’s comments in greater detail after the tournament remains to be seen, but for now, his reaction has been limited to five simple words:
“I have not heard anything.”