Rory McIlroy reignites Bryson DeChambeau rivalry after Ryder Cup win with cheeky gesture

Rory McIlroy got a late dig in at Bryson DeChambeau during the Ryder Cup after covering the American player's name with a European flag while celebrating the team's win. Matt Fitzpatrick appeared to encourage his teammate to cover DeChambeau's name while they were up on a bridge across Bethpage Black.

Fitzpatrick played the two-time U.S. Open champion during the Sunday singles session, halving their match despite being five up through seven holes at one stage. McIlroy went out to play Scottie Scheffler immediately after them and lost one up.

DeChambeau and Fitzpatrick were also opponents in the Saturday morning foursomes. The former won four and two alongside American rookie Cameron Young against the Englishman and Ludvig Aberg.

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Fitzpatrick and McIlroy celebrated together up on a bridge over the golf course after the singles session concluded, with the Northern Irishman having a flag of Europe draped over his shoulder. The bridge they were up on had a bright red covering as decoration and featured the surnames of several American players emblazoned in white text.

Ben Griffin, Harris English, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns were on the side where the European pair stood, looking down at the fans below them. Fitzpatrick and McIlroy were in the middle of the bridge, with DeChambeau's name directly below them.

The former pointed it out while in conversation with the Masters champion, who looked down, and Fitzpatrick then gestured with both hands, appearing to suggest McIlroy cover it up. And that is exactly what he did, taking the flag off his shoulder before unfurling it and holding each corner to stretch it out over DeChambeau's name.

Realising what is about to happen, the fans in attendance increase the volume of their cheers in anticipation before McIlroy leads them in chanting "Ole", all while still keeping the flag in position, obscuring all but the 'U' in DeChambeau.

Before the Ryder Cup began, both players talked up the prospect of playing each other last week. "Would I love to go up against him? Yeah. It would be a lot of fun," DeChambeau said.

"Is it going to happen? It's not likely. I mean, maybe once. You never know."

McIlroy said, "If I come up against Bryson at some point, I think that's great. I think that's wonderful for the championship and wonderful for us, as well, in some ways."

However, they were not quite so cordial earlier this year. In response to DeChambeau making his intention to "chirp in [McIlroy's] ear" at Bethpage, McIlroy said in an interview with The Guardian.

"That is basically what I think of that. To get attention, he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others."