Rory McIlroy criticised fellow golfer Bryson DeChambeau after a heated rules dispute overshadowed the third round of The Open at Royal Birkdale. DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty on Friday following a lengthy, animated argument with rules officials over an alleged improved lie, and McIlroy used his own press conference to accuse him of playing to the crowd rather than genuinely disputing the ruling.

McIlroy, 37, made the comments after carding a third-round 69 to sit one under par. Asked directly about DeChambeau's conduct, he said he would not defend the 32-year-old, adding "I'm not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it is performative. I think a lot of it's for attention." The remarks mark a notable public rebuke between two of the sport's leading figures during one of golf's major championships.