AUGUSTA, GA. When the final groups are set to start the 3rd round at the 89th Masters two players will be a group apart but the focal point of interest will be on what both do throughout the 18-holes.
At Last June‘s U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau were the two main combatants down the stretch of play at Pinehurst No. 2. Rory looked to have the inside edge but then his putter acted up and went into a late-round coma with crucial short putts missed — a two-footer at the 16th and a crushing three-footer at the final hole. Those two brain freeze situations opened up a pathway for the 31-year-old DeChambeau.
The 2020 U.S. Open champion needed a par on the final hole to secure the win and the manner by which he accomplished it was nothing short of stunning. Bryson found a fronting bunker at the 18th with his 2nd shot. The most feared shot in golf now awaited. Facing a 55-yard bunker shot DeChambeau played brilliantly to three feet and sealed the win with a par putt.
Two facts happened that day.
McIlroy’s failure kept his major-less streak dating back to 2014 intact. On the flipside the win validated DeChambeau as a highly skilled player and laid to rest the idea his win three years earlier at Winged Foot in the same championship was an aberration.
Now the pair seek to attain something neither possesses – a green jacket.
McIlroy entered this year’s Masters as a slight favorite over defending champion Scottie Scheffler. All seemed in good working order during round one until two silly late round errors derailed what should have been a sub-70 score and turned into a pedestrian 72-round.
Credit the 35-year-old Northern Irishman with the mental resolve not to lose his focus. Friday’s round was a flawless display — re-establishing himself with a bogey-free six-under-par 66 and placing him just two shots behind the halfway leader Justin Rose.
DeChambeau came to Augusta National with a record of non-accomplishment. His best finish in seven starts as a professional came in the 2024 event finishing T6.
Bryson’s game admittingly was in a state of uncertainty and he spent considerable time working on getting matters straightened out. Since arriving at Augusta National Tuesday, DeChambeau has hit more than 800 balls during practice sessions — about three times as many as Rory McIlroy and four times as many as world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
The first round was uneven. The good was seven birdies. The downside saw five bogies placed on his scorecard. DeChambeau stayed late after his round and wanted to get matters in a better place.
The extra work paid off Friday with a far better consistent round – only one bogey balanced against five birdies and a score of 68. With two rounds set for the weekend he’s now paired with leader Rose just one shot behind.
Both McIlroy and DeChambeau have different fan followings. Rory’s story in nailing down the lone major he’s never won and that quest has created a larger base of support. DeChambeau’s personality has seen a 360-degree transformation.
When Bryson turned pro in 2016 his arrival was off-putting for many. DeChambeau reveled in being an equipment geek. His zeal in doing a deep-dive on all the specific of his clubs and swing was combined with a tortoise-like crawl when playing only served to isolate him from his peers and erected a wall with golf fans who found it hard to connect with him.
But in recent times DeChambeau has become a fan favorite. A desire to reach out to galleries, intent on embracing real emotion, has put in play a clear bond.
Should DeChambeau secure a green jacket he will be just the fifth golfer in Masters history to have won the event as the reigning U.S. Open champ. The last to do so – Tiger Woods in 2001.
Nothing would cement closure for McIlroy better than to claim the green jacket and do so over the current number one player in Scheffler and the man who took him down at Pinehurst.
For the 31-year-old DeChambeau a win elevates his stature and places his career on an even higher plateau. It would also mark the 3rd major championship title for a LIV Golf member.
Saturday at the Masters is called “moving day” and both men are intent in remaining in the mix for Sunday’s final round.
Can a sequel to what transpired at Pinehurst happen? Having them paired together Sunday would make for grand golf theater.
Two men with contrasting personalities and approaches.
Mano a mano.
We shall see.
Round 3 Teetimes
