Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, McIlroy said on Friday that was "not particularly fond" of DeChambeau
ByLauren McCannBBC Sport NI Journalist- Published16 minutes ago
Rory McIlroy has said that Bryson DeChambeau playing in the Irish Open in September "would be great for the tournament".
The back-to-back Masters champion Championship accused DeChambeau of holding the Open Championship "hostage" on Friday after he was penalised for "inadvertently improving his lie" before hitting his second shot at the fifth during the second round.
While Northern Ireland's McIlroy went on to say that he is "not particularly fond" of DeChambeau, on Sunday he acknowledged that the American's presence at the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg would boost the event.
"Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open would be great for the tournament, absolutely," McIlroy said after finishing one under par following a final round of 71 at Royal Birkdale.
McIlroy has 'other things I prioritise' than PGA Tour
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, McIlroy failed in his quest to win a second major this year at Royal Birkdale
McIlroy, who also confirmed he will not play again before the PGA Tour play-offs in mid-August, added that it was "fair to say" that he is no longer as enthused by the prospect of playing on the PGA Tour and in the FedEx Cup after completing his career Grand Slam of winning all four majors.
When asked why that was the case, the 37-year-old said that "it just sort of ebbs and flows".
He explained: "There's been years where I've given it maybe more of my attention and years that I haven't. I guess I'm just at a stage that I have other things that I prioritise.
"Again, the PGA Tour is in a lot of flux at the minute with a lot of their schedule and structure and everything like that.
"So I think the change where it doesn't matter where you are in the top 30 going into the Tour Championship, it's like I just need to be in the top 30 going in there to have a chance to win a FedEx Cup. So why would I care about the first two?
"I sort of came to that decision last year and I'm just sort of doing the same thing."
The world number two was left to reflect on a week at The Open in which he says he was "stuck in neutral".
He added: "Obviously shot a good one on Friday to get myself in for the weekend and back in it. Even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.
"I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. Just one of those weeks I couldn't get it going."
