It is unusual in golf for individual rivalries to develop organically. Because golfers face each other so infrequently in big moments, us idiots in the media normally have to try and manufacture some drama by forcing narratives like good vs. evil and so on. Almost none of it is sticky.
An exercise: Think of the best (or most prominent) rivalry from the last 25 years that wasn’t Tiger vs. Phil, who faced off a lot but, again, rarely in major championships. If you’re struggling to come up with one, you’re not alone. Rory-Reed comes to mind, but the problem with these high-profile rivalries is that it’s also unusual for players to stay in the top 10 in the world long enough to have these matchups.
Reed has spent some time in the top 10, but not enough. Not the same as Rory.
Patrick Reed’s time in the top 10.
Some rivalries are between two countrymen, which means there is no ability for them to be elevated in team events. If Tiger and Phil had faced each other instead of playing with each other in 2004, that would have been much more delicious.
All of this leads us to Rory and Bryson. That we have gotten two different majors in the last two years won by the two of them in which the other player played a prominent (if ultimately, disappearing) role is significant. That they are two of the players who are the least careful about what they say publicly — although for very different reasons — makes the idea of a rivalry even more appealing.
Rory ripped the first shot at Bryson over the weekend in an interview with the Guardian.
“I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. That is basically what I think of that. To get attention he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”
Rory McIlroy
Me reading that.
There is often a performative nature to anything Rory says or does during the Ryder Cup so consider that in your models. But I also think there is nothing performative about Rory saying what he feels at all times, which is why he has at times been left looking foolish after things turn in a way that nobody expected. It’s an honesty that is probably not the wisest professional choice but is extremely appreciated on a personal level (not to mention for the #content).
Anyway, there is obvious history. The Pinehurst drama. The Augusta National drubbing earlier this year. Don’t forget, Bryson chirped Rory during The Match last December.
Is this a rivalry? I’m not sure it’s completely there, but it’s seemingly about as close as it gets in modern golf. And because of that, I hope we get Rory-Bryson on Sunday in singles. Even better if it gets late and close and their match is for the 13th or 14th point.
It seems unlikely that that will be the case. Rory is normally early in the Euro rotation. But we definitely could get a matchup between these two. In 2021, when Bryson drove the first green against Sergio Garcia in singles, Rory went out first. It’s not crazy to think that both are going to be among the first three or four matches out on Sunday.
The High King of Content and the Prince of Ponte Vedra for a Ryder Cup point (and a lot more than that).
I’m excited to hear Bryson’s response to Rory’s recent commentary this week in the pressers. He (Bryson) is probably excited to hear it, too. That will be a through line throughout the painstakingly long first part of the week before the matches start on Friday. It’s a good one, though. One you can dream on. One that has been delivering over the last few years and could pay itself off at Bethpage on Sunday afternoon.
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