Bryson DeChambeau is once again chasing Rory McIlroy in a major championship — and this time, he’s got one final round to do it.
DeChambeau capped off his third round at Augusta National with a dramatic 50-foot birdie putt from just off the 18th green, finishing with a 3-under 69. That effort put him at 10-under for the tournament, two shots behind McIlroy, who sits atop the leaderboard at 12-under. The two will tee off together in Sunday’s final pairing.
“Those last few holes, all I was thinking about was getting into that final group,” DeChambeau said. “I just wanted to execute every shot. That last putt was beautiful — a great way to finish.”
This won’t be the first time these two have gone head-to-head under major pressure. Just last summer, DeChambeau trailed McIlroy by a single stroke with four holes to play in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. McIlroy stumbled with missed short putts and bogeys down the stretch, and DeChambeau capitalized — including a clutch up-and-down at the 18th to claim the title by a shot.
They had a small showdown during Saturday’s third round as well. While DeChambeau birdied the 15th after getting up and down from behind the green, McIlroy was on the 16th, landing his tee shot about 15 feet from the pin. Though he missed the birdie, the tension and awareness between them was evident.
“It’s always huge to be in the final group at a major, but doing it alongside Rory makes it even more exciting,” DeChambeau said. “Tomorrow’s going to be a great battle.”
McIlroy, meanwhile, remains focused and determined as he chases one of golf’s rarest feats: the career Grand Slam. He set the tone early Saturday with a blazing 5-under through five holes. Despite a few shaky moments on the back nine, a soaring eagle on 15 helped him regain momentum and control. He walked off the course to a standing ovation after signing for a 66.
DeChambeau’s round had its fair share of drama. He came out strong with birdies on two of his first three holes and quickly tied McIlroy at 9-under. A bogey at the fourth after finding a bunker slowed him down, though he rebounded with a birdie at the sixth. Another bogey followed on the ninth after a poor approach into the sand. Still, he stuck to his process — true to his nickname, “The Scientist” — and kept grinding.
Clutch play down the stretch, including a critical par save at 16 and the long birdie on 18, kept him firmly in contention.
It’s a far better position than he found himself in last year. Despite an opening 65 and sharing the second-round lead, a third-round 75 left him too far back to mount a final-day charge. He ended up tied for sixth, nine shots behind Scottie Scheffler.
One of the more memorable images from that tournament? DeChambeau casually carrying a giant wooden directional sign down the fairway after it blocked his line. That same bold, confident energy has been on display again this week.
DeChambeau opened this year’s Masters with a 69 but wasn’t happy with his ball-striking. Long after the crowds had gone home, he was still pounding balls under the floodlights on the range, working to fine-tune his swing. It paid off — he shot 68 on Friday and followed with another solid round on Saturday.
“I love that pressure — knowing every single shot matters,” he said. “When you’re chasing, you can stay aggressive and locked in. I’ve led before, and that’s a different mindset. But being the hunter tomorrow? That’s going to be a fun test.”
