Rory McIlroy has finally claimed the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta, but his path to Masters glory featured an unusual tactic - the silent treatment.
Playing partner Bryson DeChambeau revealed the Northern Irishman didn't utter a single word to him throughout Sunday's final round.
The LIV Golf star, who finished tied for fifth, was left completely in the dark about McIlroy's mindset during their battle for the title.
"No idea. [McIlroy] Didn't talk to me once all day," DeChambeau disclosed after the round.
When pressed further on whether he had attempted to initiate conversation, DeChambeau doubled down: "He wouldn't talk to me."
This cold shoulder approach marked a stark contrast to their usual on-course interactions.
The silent treatment appeared to be a deliberate strategy from McIlroy, who remained intensely focused throughout the round.
While DeChambeau tried to engage with his playing partner, the Northern Irishman maintained his distance, keeping conversation to an absolute minimum.
JUST IN: Rory McIlroy emotional as golf star finally completes career Grand Slam with dramatic Masters win
The silent treatment may have been a calculated response to their history at the 2024 US Open.
Less than a year ago, McIlroy suffered a heartbreaking collapse against DeChambeau at Pinehurst.
Leading by two shots in the final round, McIlroy carded three bogeys across the final five holes, missing two putts from a combined distance of just seven feet.
He fled the course minutes after DeChambeau's victory and took a month-long break from competition.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy embraces wife Erica Stoll after breaking down in tears following Masters triumph
This time, McIlroy seemed determined not to let history repeat itself.
The two players took markedly different approaches to the Augusta atmosphere, which DeChambeau described as "electric".
The American embraced the occasion, slapping hands with as many fans as possible on his way to the first tee.
McIlroy, despite also being a fan favourite, opted to stay in a "bubble" of concentration.
"He [McIlroy] was just being focused, I guess. It's not me, though," DeChambeau explained when asked about his opponent's demeanour.
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DeChambeau initially looked poised to repeat his US Open triumph, taking the lead from McIlroy after just two holes.
However, his challenge quickly unravelled with a series of costly mistakes.
He three-putted from 23 feet at the par-4 third hole, a mistake that still puzzled him hours later.
A poor iron shot at the par-3 fourth led to another bogey.
The decisive blow came at the par-4 11th, where his attempted draw found water, resulting in a double bogey.
I just tried to hit a draw in there and it started five degrees left," DeChambeau lamented.
Further mistakes followed for DeChambeau, including a wayward shot on the 17th that "went dead left" from the pine straw.
"Got to get better," the American admitted after his round.
Meanwhile, McIlroy's silent focus proved effective as he maintained his composure throughout the back nine.
His refusal to engage with DeChambeau appeared to be the mental reset he needed after last year's US Open heartbreak and now, for the first time, he's secured the prestigious Green Jacket.
Find Out More...
Playing partner Bryson DeChambeau revealed the Northern Irishman didn't utter a single word to him throughout Sunday's final round.
The LIV Golf star, who finished tied for fifth, was left completely in the dark about McIlroy's mindset during their battle for the title.
"No idea. [McIlroy] Didn't talk to me once all day," DeChambeau disclosed after the round.
When pressed further on whether he had attempted to initiate conversation, DeChambeau doubled down: "He wouldn't talk to me."
This cold shoulder approach marked a stark contrast to their usual on-course interactions.
The silent treatment appeared to be a deliberate strategy from McIlroy, who remained intensely focused throughout the round.
While DeChambeau tried to engage with his playing partner, the Northern Irishman maintained his distance, keeping conversation to an absolute minimum.
JUST IN: Rory McIlroy emotional as golf star finally completes career Grand Slam with dramatic Masters win
The silent treatment may have been a calculated response to their history at the 2024 US Open.
Less than a year ago, McIlroy suffered a heartbreaking collapse against DeChambeau at Pinehurst.
Leading by two shots in the final round, McIlroy carded three bogeys across the final five holes, missing two putts from a combined distance of just seven feet.
He fled the course minutes after DeChambeau's victory and took a month-long break from competition.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy embraces wife Erica Stoll after breaking down in tears following Masters triumph
Bryson DeChambeau says Rory McIlroy didn’t say a word to him all day.pic.twitter.com/z2vmJqHjpc
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) April 14, 2025
This time, McIlroy seemed determined not to let history repeat itself.
The two players took markedly different approaches to the Augusta atmosphere, which DeChambeau described as "electric".
The American embraced the occasion, slapping hands with as many fans as possible on his way to the first tee.
McIlroy, despite also being a fan favourite, opted to stay in a "bubble" of concentration.
"He [McIlroy] was just being focused, I guess. It's not me, though," DeChambeau explained when asked about his opponent's demeanour.
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DeChambeau initially looked poised to repeat his US Open triumph, taking the lead from McIlroy after just two holes.
However, his challenge quickly unravelled with a series of costly mistakes.
He three-putted from 23 feet at the par-4 third hole, a mistake that still puzzled him hours later.
A poor iron shot at the par-3 fourth led to another bogey.
The decisive blow came at the par-4 11th, where his attempted draw found water, resulting in a double bogey.
I just tried to hit a draw in there and it started five degrees left," DeChambeau lamented.
Further mistakes followed for DeChambeau, including a wayward shot on the 17th that "went dead left" from the pine straw.
"Got to get better," the American admitted after his round.
Meanwhile, McIlroy's silent focus proved effective as he maintained his composure throughout the back nine.
His refusal to engage with DeChambeau appeared to be the mental reset he needed after last year's US Open heartbreak and now, for the first time, he's secured the prestigious Green Jacket.
Find Out More...