AUGUSTA, Ga. — From the 15th fairway at Augusta National, Bryson DeChambeau observed the unfolding drama below.
On the green, Rory McIlroy`s delicate second shot set up a mere 6-foot putt for eagle. Though DeChambeau might not have witnessed the ball`s descent, the crowd`s roar conveyed everything: McIlroy secured his second eagle of the day, surging to 12 under par and establishing a five-shot lead over DeChambeau.
With only four holes remaining, catching McIlroy seemed improbable. However, it was Saturday at the Masters, and the two-time U.S. Open champion focused on a singular objective.
`Get in the final pairing.`
DeChambeau responded to McIlroy`s eagle with a birdie on the 15th. On the 16th, he sank another birdie putt and glanced across the pond towards the 17th fairway, where McIlroy was walking.
`Rory was progressing, standing at 12 under, and I was in pursuit,` DeChambeau recounted. `After my birdie, I looked up, declaring, `I’m still in this. I’m not giving up.“
And so, the stage is set again.
Nearly ten months after their thrilling U.S. Open clash at Pinehurst, which brought heartbreak for McIlroy and triumph for DeChambeau, they are poised to enter Sunday battling for a major championship. This time, they are paired in the final group. This time, the Masters title hangs in the balance.
`I must remind myself that there are still 18 holes to play,` McIlroy stated after his day`s best round, positioning him two strokes ahead of DeChambeau. `I am acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of the final day here.`
This contest isn`t about good versus evil, nor is it a PGA Tour versus LIV Golf feud. It is simply a duel between two elite golfers vying for the sport`s most prized accolade on its grandest stage.
Their playing styles share similarities. Both can overpower courses with their drivers—ranking 1-2 in driving distance this week—and frequently rely on the variability of their approach shots or putting to shape their scores. Yet, labeling DeChambeau and McIlroy as polar opposites would be an understatement.
A mere glance at their exits from the 18th green illustrated this contrast. McIlroy, after parring his final three holes and receiving cheers and standing ovations, offered only restrained nods. DeChambeau, concluding his round with a sensational 48-foot birdie putt on 18, reacted with an emphatic fist pump, engaging with fans along the rope line on his way to scoring.
`Fan interaction sharpens my focus,` DeChambeau explained. `It`s exhilarating to feed off the crowd`s energy, especially the patrons here. It`s a reciprocal feeling.`
On the course and range, DeChambeau meticulously seeks optimal launch angles and ball speed, while McIlroy emphasizes the pursuit of a feeling of control, rather than mere numbers or scores.
`If I can achieve that feeling,` McIlroy reflected, `and look myself in the mirror tonight, affirming, `This is how I want to feel playing golf,` that, in itself, is a victory.`
DeChambeau is the showman, embracing flair and intensity, while McIlroy openly displays his vulnerabilities. He acknowledges anxious energy, uses cliché notes for encouragement, and unwinds with light entertainment like John Grisham novels or `Bridgerton.` DeChambeau, also a film enthusiast, prefers James Bond.
`Checking my phone isn`t an issue,` noted DeChambeau, who maintains a popular YouTube channel.
While DeChambeau thrives on external energy, McIlroy recognizes the need for internal focus to win on Sunday, amidst a potentially boisterous crowd.
`Tomorrow`s final group will be lively and loud,` McIlroy anticipated. `I need to stay within my bubble, maintain focus.`
DeChambeau, conversely, plans to embrace the crowd`s energy, at least until his next shot.
`It`s about reacting and being authentic,` DeChambeau stated. `Some may see it differently, but I`m just a bit unique.`
Sunday will vividly highlight their differences. Yet, the most significant contrast is already part of their narrative: DeChambeau has secured two majors since McIlroy`s last major victory.
McIlroy`s near-misses are well-documented, becoming integral to his story alongside his four major wins from 2011 to 2014. At the Old Course in 2022, he was overtaken by Cameron Smith. In the 2023 U.S. Open at LACC, he couldn`t surpass Wyndham Clark. Pinehurst last year was particularly painful, with missed short putts as DeChambeau clinched victory.
Then, there was the 2011 Masters, where a 21-year-old McIlroy led by four shots entering the final round, only to shoot 80 and leave empty-handed.
`That was 14 years ago,` McIlroy reflected on that tournament. `Thankfully, I have a short memory.`
On paper, 18 holes separate McIlroy from a career Grand Slam. In reality, it`s 11 years of close calls, heartbreaks, and the same rival who denied him last year, now standing in his path again. A rival eager to embrace the challenge, maintain pressure, and potentially spoil McIlroy`s ambition once more.
`We both desperately want to win. The atmosphere will be electric,` DeChambeau predicted. `It`s set to be the grandest stage in a long time.`