Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau set up Sunday shootout for the Masters at Augusta

There is one man in the way of Rory McIlroy and history. And you know who it is.

Never was the PGA Tour vs LIV Golf divide more strongly mirrored in human form than the US Open in 2024, but this is more than mere reflection at Augusta National as McIlroy has one hand on the career grand slam.

McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau will share the final tee time at the 89th Masters with the former two shots ahead, which would’ve been three but for a 47-foot birdie on the 18th hole courtesy of the sport’s box office star.

We have the beauty in the Northern Irishman, looking to become the sixth player to win all four men’s majors, and the beast in this Texan YouTube star grabbing the history books from his opponent’s grasp and writing his own chapter.

DeChambeau ripped McIlroy’s heart out at Pinehurst last June, making an amazing sandy up-and-down on the 72nd hole to beat him by a shot to win his second US Open, after McIlroy missed short putts on holes 16 and 18.

Now, in a Ryder Cup year, McIlroy could tick off two boxes in his career checklist: to win the Masters and to win the away Ryder Cup for Europe at Bethpage later this year. American DeChambeau will have a huge say in both regards – both mouthwatering prospects.

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Rory McIlroy vs Bryson DeChambeau showdown set for Masters Sunday

“I think I still have to remind myself that there’s a long way to go, just like I said yesterday, 18 holes. I, just as much as anyone else, know what can happen on the final day here,” McIlroy said in his Saturday post-round press conference.

“I’ve got a lot of experience. I came in here talking about being the most complete version of myself as a golfer, and you know, I just have to keep reminding myself of that and remind myself that no matter what situation or scenario I find myself in tomorrow, I’ll be able to handle it.”

After a monstrous 372-yard drive on hole 1, McIlroy began a six-hole-long string of 3s which had the ground shaking. As I stood short and below to the right of the par-5 2nd green, his checked-up chip trickled perfectly down the slope from the back of the green and disappeared into the ground.

Goosebumps – ones similarly felt by those who saw McIlroy hole his bunker shot for an eagle on the 10th hole in the third round of the 150th Open at St Andrews. He found one too good there in Cameron Smith, and there is every chance DeChambeau will embrace the moment on Sunday at Augusta National like his LIV Golf colleague Smith did at the Old Course three years ago.

McIlroy started the day down Magnolia Lane two shots behind 36-hole leader Justin Rose, but three holes in with two birdies and an eagle, he led by two. Through five holes, he briefly led DeChambeau by three, and the flamboyant big-hitter knew it, as a self-confessed leaderboard watcher.

“There’s a lot of golf left,” Bryson told the media what he was telling himself when he was momentarily sinking.

“That’s what I kept telling myself. I said, just stay in it. I went and birdied the first, birdied the second, bogeyed the third, bogeyed the third and the seventh, which, man, that’s just, I tried – I was going to lay up on 7 again, and I just couldn’t get myself to do it, but I should have.

Masters 2025 Third Round Leaderboard (score they started on Saturday)

“It’s okay, though. It’s one of those things that happens. And for me, Rory was moving. I said, there’s still a lot of golf to play.”

Both players had crowning moments on the back nine that have set up an extraordinarily tense Sunday. McIlroy walked down a towering approach to the par-5 15th green, Tiger Woods-style on the same hole he made a similar move in 2011, which resulted in a crucial eagle and his second of the day.

He carded a 66 to reach 12-under and had a three-shot lead until DeChambeau entered the stage on the 18th green. He holed a looping putt just short of 50 feet and riled the patrons who left their green fold-up chairs to applaud in celebration and admiration. He reached 10-under with a 69.

While McIlroy still has a healthy advantage and is four shots clear of his Saturday playing partner Corey Conners in third place too, he could’ve done without that. Asked if there was such thing as overnight momentum, DeChambeau said: “Yeah, for sure. I think there’s a bit of it. Is it going to be the full reason why I play well or not my best tomorrow? No. But there is momentum.”

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