Rory McIlroy apparently took the same approach towards his final-round playing partner this year at the Masters as he did last year — he gave Cameron Young the silent treatment.
McIlroy was infamously icy to Bryson DeChambeau during last year’s event, with the LIV Golf star revealing after their round that the Northern Irishman didn’t speak to him at all while on the course.
With McIlroy winning his first Masters last year to complete his career grand slam, he apparently employed the same strategy this time out with Young on Sunday.
Young told reporters at Augusta National that it was all business on the golf course and that the pair weren’t “trying to be best friends.”
“I’m not one to talk a ton to begin with. And I don’t think he really wanted to talk to me today,” Young said.
“Sunday at the Masters in the final group — we don’t wish anything poorly on the guy, but we’re playing against each other.
“I’m not trying to be best friends out there.”
That extra focus apparently helped McIlroy, who joined a list of golfing legends by winning back-to-back Masters championships. He joins Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as just the fourth person to achieve that feat.
And with his sixth career major championship win, McIlroy also tied Faldo for most by a European in modern times and took him closer to another long-stated goal to become the greatest European player to ever play.
What did DeChambeau say last year?
At last year’s Masters, DeChambeau commented to reporters that McIlroy wasn’t exactly friendly while the two were paired up for the final round.
“Didn’t talk to me once all day,” DeChambeau said. “He wouldn’t talk to me. He was just like — just being focused, I guess. It’s not me, though.”
McIlroy later replied, saying: “I don’t know what he was expecting. We’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not going to try to be his best mate out there.”
McIlroy’s daughter Poppy goes viral
McIlroy’s icy demeanor quickly wore off during post-tournament celebrations.
After stepping to the microphone to address the crowd after once again putting on the famed Green Jacket, McIlroy thanked his wife, Erica Stoll, and their daughter before joking about the reasons why five-year-old Poppy has come to enjoy Masters week.
“A few thank yous to the people on my left. First and foremost my wife and daughter Erica and Poppy, they have to put up with me at home and trust me sometimes that’s a tough thing to do. But they have been my biggest supporters,” McIlroy told the crowd..
“This has definitely turned into Poppy’s favourite week of the year. I don’t know if it’s because of the Par 3 tournament or it’s all-you-can-eat ice cream in the player services building.”
Poppy was then caught on camera laughing and then covering her face while shaking her face with her hand in mock embarrassment.