Three-time major champion Pádraig Harrington has said that Bryson DeChambeau's "ego" played a big part in a "bizarre" final round that torpedoed his US Masters hopes as he finished in a tie for fifth, four shots behind eventual champion Rory McIlroy.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s 1 Today with Claire Byrne, the Dubliner also took issue with the American’s comments afterwards about McIlroy not speaking to him on the course as Augusta witnessed one of its most famous ever rounds.
"What was he thinking on the third hole?" he said of the American, who started round 4 in the final pairing.
"Bryson has made his game by being a long hitter. He stands up on the third hole with a one-shot lead, possibly can drive the green, he lays up makes bogey; Rory drives it, hits driver up to the near the edge of the green and makes his birdie.
"It was the most bizarre change of personality I’ve ever seen in the game of golf right there in that moment...it was beyond bizarre what he did off the tee, for him in his personality. He didn’t hit a shot afterwards.
"He has different skills but his ego has gone down this road of being a long hitter and he had a chance right there on the third hole, stand up there, burst one down there, it’s a big enough area and he just gave all the momentum back to Rory.
"He has different skills but his ego has gone down this road of being a long hitter and he had a chance right there on the third hole"
"It was just a change of attitude by him. Not being yourself can be a very dangerous thing in golf."
After signing his card, DeChambeau, who pipped McIlroy to the US Open title at Pinehurst last year, seemed to take a swipe at McIlroy’s on-course demeanor.
"No idea. Didn't talk to me once all day," he replied when asked how he
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