Bryson DeChambeau is relishing the chance to renew his rivalry with Rory McIlroy at The Masters, having taken a ‘nice learning lesson’ from final yr’s final-round disappointment.
DeChambeau is among the many favourites to problem for a 3rd main title at Augusta National, having posted top-six finishes the previous two years, with the American coming into the occasion with back-to-back LIV Golf League victories.
The two-time US Open champion went into final yr’s ultimate spherical within the ultimate group with McIlroy and briefly led throughout an eventful Sunday, solely to finish tied fifth – after a three-over 75 – as his enjoying accomplice claimed the victory required to full the profession Grand Slam.
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As McIlroy returns to defend his Masters title, have a look at among the greatest photographs he has ever made at Augusta National
DeChambeau beforehand claimed McIlroy ‘didn’t discuss to him’ throughout their final-round duel, a suggestion the Northern Irishman quashed throughout a brand new documentary forward of this yr’s contest, though he would benefit from the alternative to go head-to-head once more.
“It’s great if we can continue to have a rivalry,” DeChambeau mentioned in his pre-tournament press convention. “I do not see any drawback with that. If something, it form of helps create extra buzz across the sport of golf.
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McIlroy accomplished his profession Grand Slam after beating Justin Rose in a play-off at The Masters
“Do I respect him as a person? 100 per cent. Do I would like to beat him each time I see him? Absolutely, there is not any query about it.
“I feel that is what’s so good in regards to the sport of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect after which wanting to simply completely beat the dwelling you recognize what out of him.
“It’s one of those things – like I got him at Pinehurst [No 2, 2024 US Open], he got me here [2025 Masters]. I hope there’s more of those to come because it’s great for the game.”
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Highlights from an exhilarating ultimate spherical of the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No 2, the place Bryson DeChambeau snatched victory
‘I want to feel it again’ – DeChambeau motivated by Masters loss
DeChambeau went into the ultimate spherical two strokes behind McIlroy however discovered himself one forward two holes later, as he made a par-birdie begin after watching his enjoying accomplice double-bogey the opening gap.
He instantly slipped again with back-to-back bogeys and by no means recovered, dropping three extra photographs throughout two holes of Amen Corner and finally ending 4 strokes behind McIlroy.
“It [losing] was a great learning lesson,” DeChambeau added. “Leading or being tied for the lead and having the lead, that final group ultimate spherical, gave me a number of perspective on it.
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Highlights from DeChambeau’s ultimate spherical at final yr’s Masters, the place he slipped out of rivalry after a closing 75
“Then losing it and having things not go my way as they finished out and Rory completed the grand slam. Last year he earned it, right? It was really cool to see in person.
“As I mirror again on it, the one factor I can take from it’s that I can put myself in these positions. The extra I put myself in these positions, the higher alternatives I’m going to have to win.
Will DeChambeau and McIlroy contend at The Masters once more this week?
“It’s just been a gradual learning process. You never know what this week may bring, but I certainly hope to give it my all and put myself back in that position because I want to feel it again.”
On his kind heading into this week, DeChambeau mentioned: “Obviously I’m playing well and I feel like my game’s in the best place of its career, outside of maybe Greenbrier [LIV Golf League event] when I shot 58.
“Outside of that, I’m excited to get the week going and see the place I can put myself.”
How ‘trending’ DeChambeau ‘helped’ McIlroy to Masters win
DeChambeau arrives as the shape participant attempting to deny McIlroy a profitable title defence at The Masters, with former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believing he ‘helped’ the Northern Irishman full the Grand Slam final April.
“There’s no doubt that playing with Bryson [DeChambeau] in the last round last year helped them more than hurt him,” McGinley mentioned in a media name forward of The Masters, dwell from Thursday on Sky Sports Golf.
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McIlroy and a few of golf’s most acquainted faces mirror on the second the place he achieved his lifelong dream of profitable The Masters to full the profession Grand Slam
“The reason it helped them was Bryson belittled them six months previously, when they did that made-for-TV event out in the desert. He [DeChambeau] made a smart comment about Rory messing up at the US Open in order for Bryson to win.
“That was logged and that is the form of stuff that drives Rory into focus, which is what he did by way of profitable the Grand Slam. Bryson actually did him a favour as a result of he compelled him into focus – he p***** him off and acquired him [McIlroy] within the mindset he wants to get in.”
Who will win The Masters? Watch the opening major of the year exclusively live on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the first round begins on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
