Bryson DeChambeau sees Rory McIlroy as a massive rival for next week’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
The world No 4 has never played the 7,876-yard Ocean Course, but after watching McIlroy win by eight shots in 2012 and end an 18-month drought at Quail Hollow last Sunday, he knows he’s the man to beat.
“We all knew he was going to go back and win at some point,” DeChambeau said ahead of the AT&T Bryson Nelson, where Pádraig Harrington and Seamus Power fly the flag for Ireland.
“He was struggling, but his resolve is incredible, and his ability to play the game of golf is undeniably unbelievable.
“If he continues to improve, he is going to a force to be reckoned with for a long time and will continue to do so probably for the rest of his life.
“That’s why I play against the best. That’s why I love it when I see Rory up there at the top of the leaderboard or anybody else that’s a force to be reckoned with. It’s something I thrive off,” he added.
As for next week’s Major duel, he said: “I think his game, his length, is a tremendous advantage, as well as mine hopefully will be next week. I think it’s one of the longest championships we’ve ever played. And I’m excited for that because any time it’s a super long golf course, I think it fits into my hand quite nicely. He’s obviously got great chances.”
In the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry, Paul Dunne’s level par 72 left him tied 52nd six shots behind Austria’s Matthias Schwab, whose 66 gave him a one-shot lead over Scot Calum Hill.
Niall Kearney and Cormac Sharvin were tied 70th after 73s with Jonny Caldwell 125th after a 76 as Colm Moriarty dropped five shots in his last four holes for a 78.
Meanwhile, Mallow’s James Sugrue (24) makes his professional debut in the Challenge Tour’s Range Servant Challenge in Malmo.
“I’m going to try and do the same things I’ve been doing my whole life, golf-wise,” said Sugrue, who is joined by Gavin Moynihan, Paul McBride, Robin Dawson and Conor Purcell.
“I won’t be thinking into it too much.
“People have said that things will change when I’m playing for money, but I don’t think anyone is successful if they’re thinking over a putt ‘I better hole this for however much’.
“I’m just going to try and do what I’ve been doing for my whole career,” he stated.
British Masters Sky Sports Golf, 1.30
Byron Nelson Sky Sports Golf, 8.30