AUGUSTA, Georgia – From the 15th fairway at Augusta National, Bryson DeChambeau had a clear view of the unfolding drama.
On the green, Rory McIlroy masterfully placed his second shot, leaving himself just six feet for an eagle. Even without seeing the ball drop, the roar of the crowd told DeChambeau everything: McIlroy had just carded his second eagle of the day, surging to 12 under par and extending his lead over DeChambeau to five shots.
With only four holes remaining on Saturday at the Masters, catching McIlroy seemed a distant prospect. However, the two-time U.S. Open champion had a singular focus.
“Get into the final pairing,” DeChambeau thought.
DeChambeau responded to McIlroy`s eagle with a birdie on the 15th. On the 16th, he sank another birdie putt, pausing to glance across the pond towards the 17th fairway where McIlroy was walking.
“Rory was moving ahead at 12 under, and I was trying to close the gap,” DeChambeau recounted. “After making that putt, I looked up, almost as a declaration, and thought, `I`m still in this. I`m not giving up.`”
And so, the stage is set once more.
Nearly ten months after their gripping U.S. Open finale at Pinehurst, where McIlroy faced heartbreak and DeChambeau celebrated victory, these two golfers are heading into Sunday with another major championship hanging in the balance. This time, they are paired together in the final group. This time, the Masters Green Jacket is at stake.
“I need to remind myself that there are still 18 holes to play,” McIlroy stated after a day`s low round gave him a two-shot lead over DeChambeau. “I am acutely aware of how much can change on the final day here.”
This contest is not about rivalry or tours; it’s simply about two of the world`s best golfers vying for the sport`s most prestigious prize on its grandest stage.
Their playing styles share similarities. Both possess immense driving power, ranking top in distance this week, and both often see their scores dictated by the variability of their approach shots and putting. Yet, to describe DeChambeau and McIlroy as polar opposites would be accurate.
Their walks off the 18th green exemplified this contrast. McIlroy, after parring his final three holes, was met with cheers and ovations but offered only reserved nods. DeChambeau, however, concluded his round with a sensational 48-foot birdie putt on the 18th, reacting with an emphatic fist pump and engaging with the crowd, high-fiving fans along the rope line.
“Engaging with the fans sharpens my focus,” DeChambeau explained. “It`s a dynamic where I feel the energy from the patrons, and it fuels me in return.”
Technically, DeChambeau fixates on launch angles and ball speed, while McIlroy emphasizes the feeling of control over specific metrics or scores.
“If I can achieve that feeling of control,” McIlroy reflected, “and look back at my game satisfied, that, for me, is a victory in itself.”
DeChambeau embodies the showman, projecting confidence and glossing over underlying pressures. McIlroy, in contrast, is open about his internal state, acknowledging his anxieties and using personal notes for encouragement. He relaxes with light entertainment, while DeChambeau prefers action movies like James Bond.
“Checking my phone isn`t a problem for me,” noted DeChambeau, who maintains a popular YouTube channel.
While DeChambeau thrives on the energy of the crowd, McIlroy understands the necessity to remain focused and composed amidst the enthusiastic patrons.
“Tomorrow`s final group will be intense and loud,” McIlroy predicted. “I need to stay within my own zone, keep my focus inward.”
DeChambeau, however, intends to embrace the crowd`s energy, at least until he prepares for his next shot.
“It`s about reacting naturally and being myself,” DeChambeau stated. “People may have opinions, but I am simply different.”
Sunday will highlight these differences. Yet, a significant contrast is already evident: DeChambeau has won two majors since McIlroy`s last major victory.
McIlroy`s past disappointments are well-documented, becoming as defining as his four major wins from 2011 to 2014. From being overtaken at the Old Course in 2022 to near misses at the 2023 U.S. Open and Pinehurst, the setbacks are numerous. Pinehurst was particularly painful, with missed short putts allowing DeChambeau to clinch the victory.
There`s also the 2011 Masters, where a young McIlroy lost a four-shot lead in the final round.
“That was 14 years ago,” McIlroy reflected on that Masters. “I`m glad I have a short memory.”
On paper, 18 holes separate McIlroy from a career Grand Slam. In reality, it`s a culmination of 11 years of near-wins and heartbreaks, with DeChambeau, the same rival from last year’s U.S. Open, standing in his path. DeChambeau is eager for the challenge, ready to maintain his aggressive play and potentially spoil McIlroy’s long-awaited victory.
“We both desperately want to win. The atmosphere will be electric,” DeChambeau concluded. “It’s set to be a monumental stage.”
Marcus Blakely