RORY McILROY has hit back at Bryson DeChambeau’s claim that he “blanked” him during the final round of the Masters.

DeChambeau, 31, said he tried to start a conversation with his playing partner at Augusta.

The American added: “But he didn’t talk to me once all day. He just wouldn’t talk to me.”

But as the two players prepared to renew their on-course rivalry at the USPGA Championship, McIlroy said he was after a green jacket at Augusta, not a new best friend!

The golf star commented: “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.  

“Look, everyone approaches the game in different ways.

“Yeah, like I was focused on myself and what I needed to do. That’s really all that it was. 

“It wasn’t anything against him or anything personal.

“It’s just I felt that’s what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.”

McIlroy’s approach paid off as he beat Justin Rose in a play-off to claim the victory he needed to complete the career Grand Slam.

And DeChambeau’s three over par 75 saw him drop from second into a share of fifth.

The two golf stars are now preparing for the PGA Championship, which begins on Thursday.