Rory McIlroy makes Bryson DeChambeau rematch | Golf News

Rory McIlroy, along with his eyes fixed on the coveted inexperienced jacket, has cautioned himself to not view the ultimate spherical of the Masters as a “rematch” towards Bryson DeChambeau.

Amidst the chaos of the week – which included a poignant second with spouse Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy’s cute Par 3 contest look – McIlroy discovered himself dealing with criticism after an “inexcusable” slip on Day 1.

Yet, he bounced back ferociously on Day 2, at the same time as his ex, Caroline Wozniacki, appeared to levy a veiled jibe during a reside ESPN interview at Augusta.

After slotting a 66 in Round 3 for the second consecutive day to secure the highest spot on the leaderboard at 12-under, McIlroy swiftly shared his ideas post-round with Amanda Balionis from CBS Sports.

With a legacy on the road, he is aiming to hitch the elite circle of Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Tiger Woods as a winner of all 4 majors, whereas making an attempt to shatter over a decade of main title elusiveness.

Despite this, DeChambeau’s last-hole birdie has narrowed McIlroy’s result in simply two photographs forward of the ultimate spherical. While spectators could also be buzzing over the prospect of a McIlroy-DeChambeau head-to-head, McIlroy himself is focused on clinching victory on this pivotal match.

Balionis hinted that McIlroy is set for a riveting conflict with DeChambeau, bringing to thoughts the Northern Irishman’s wrenching debacle on the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

During these essential moments, McIlroy faltered with missed putts close-in during the last three holes, in stark distinction to DeChambeau’s stellar ending play on the 18th that secured his second main victory.

In an interview with McIlroy, Balionis touched on the previous defeat, saying: “It’s not lost on you or any of us who you’ll be playing with tomorrow – Bryson DeChambeau. The last time you two met it was at the U.S. Open, it did not go your way. How satisfying is it to have this rematch tomorrow and what will it take to get it done?”

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McIlroy’s response downplayed the concept of rivalry: “I think the big thing is not to make it a rematch. Stay in my own little world. There’s a few other people on that leaderboard who could make a run.

“So I simply must do what I’ve been doing. Sort of encompass myself in my own little cocoon and simply get into my own little bubble and he’ll do what he does and I simply have to remain firm and simply keep in my own little world.”

With DeChambeau’s late surge within the latest match, carding three birdies within the closing 4 holes to path McIlroy by two, parallels to the fateful U.S. Open are obvious. However, the tables have turned; it is now McIlroy within the lead with a day’s golf left, switching roles from pursuer to prey.

After his spectacular efficiency on Saturday, McIlroy has now scored seven rounds of 66 or higher at Augusta. Only Woods, a five-time Masters champion, has more with eight.

In every of McIlroy’s 4 main victories, he has at all times been the chief by means of 54 holes. However, he famously led the 2011 Masters solely to expertise a disastrous collapse on the ultimate day, capturing an 81 on Sunday which noticed him relinquish a four-shot lead and end in a tie for fifteenth place.