The Masters 2026: Bryson DeChambeau ‘trending’ for Augusta Nationwide however did he assist Rory McIlroy to Grand Slam glory?

Bryson DeChambeau arrives as the shape participant attempting to disclaim Rory McIlroy a profitable title defence at The Masters, having ‘helped’ the Northern Irishman shut out Grand Slam glory final yr.

DeChambeau has received his final two LIV Golf League begins and is among the many favourites to problem for a 3rd main title this week, 12 months on from shedding a final-round duel with McIlroy at Augusta Nationwide.

McIlroy had blown a two-shot lead on the primary gap of a roller-coaster Sunday, the place DeChambeau briefly moved prime of the leaderboard earlier than fading to a tied-fifth end after a final-round 75.

DeChambeau snatched US Open victory from McIlroy at Pinehurst No 2 the earlier June and mocked the Northern Irishman’s final-round collapse forward of ‘The Match’ showdown later that yr, saying: “You kind of did it [collapse] to yourself.”

McIlroy responded by ending his 11-year watch for an elusive fifth main title at The Masters, the place he performed alongside the American on the ultimate day, with former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believing their rivalry was a optimistic consider closing out Grand Slam success.

“There’s no doubt that playing with Bryson [DeChambeau] in the last round last year helped them more than hurt him,” McGinley stated in a media name forward of The Masters, stay from Thursday on Sky Sports activities Golf.

“The rationale it helped them was Bryson belittled them six months beforehand, after they did that made-for-TV occasion out within the desert. He [DeChambeau] made a wise remark about Rory messing up on the US Open to ensure that Bryson to win.

“That was logged and that is the type of stuff that drives Rory into focus, which is what he did when it comes to 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 must get in.

“If he could bring that intensity to every tournament he played, he would be Tiger Woods, but that’s not Rory and has never been Rory. He doesn’t have he doesn’t have that ability to bring that to the table every single time.

“When he does, it makes him extremely charismatic and it makes him very harmful as a golfer. When he turns up with the suitable mindset, everyone knows that he is acquired the expertise.”

DeChambeau stated after final yr’s remaining spherical that the world No 2 “didn’t talk to me once all day”, though McIlroy has since dismissed that comment and claimed the American recommended they ‘throw a tee up’ to resolve who performed first on the par-four ninth inexperienced.

“I’m like, no, this is the final round of The Masters – this isn’t some game on a Tuesday afternoon somewhere,” McIlroy stated in a clip to advertise ‘Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait‘, a documentary launched on Prime Video.

‘I wasn’t going to wilt in that scenario. I used to be simply going to face agency. So I stated ‘there is a ref proper there, why do not we get him as much as come and measure?’ And he stated ‘no it is advantageous, you’ll be able to go anyway. I do not care’.

“I just felt like that was a really big moment. I was proud of myself for holding my ground.”

Is DeChambeau ‘trending’ towards huge week?

DeChambeau has posted top-10 finishes in six of his final eight majors, ending runner-up in successive editions of the PGA Championship and ending no worse than sixth in his final two begins at Augusta Nationwide.

The 2-time US Open champion sits second to Jon Rahm on this season’s LIV Golf League particular person standings after profitable their final two occasions, beating Richard T Lee in a play-off in Singapore earlier than beating Rahm in sudden dying in South Africa.

“I think he’s trending towards it [major victory],” McGinley added. “If you look at Bryson’s performances in major championships in the last two or three years, as much as he’s had success, his iron play has been pretty poor.

“You want actually sturdy iron play higher than something [around Augusta]. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see the place his iron play is, however actually final yr he was one of many worst performing iron gamers within the discipline and but nonetheless completed within the prime 5 – that reveals you the way good the remainder of his recreation is.

“His chipping and his putting in particular were brilliant last year and his driving is always good, but he has got to be better with his irons if he’s going to win – that’s the differentiating factor around there. You get punished badly with some wayward iron shots, so that’s going to be key for him.

“I feel the entire LIV gamers have a chip on their shoulder, which is not a nasty factor as a competitor come into it, so I would not see just a few of them elevating the gallop and having an excellent week. Bryson and Jon [Rahm] actually seem like two guys in prime and stuffed with confidence.”

McIlroy arrives seeking to develop into simply the fourth participant ever – and first since Tiger Woods – to efficiently defend the Inexperienced Jacket, though was compelled to withdraw by means of damage eventually month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational after which struggled throughout his title defence at The Gamers.

“I think it [McIlroy’s game] is off, to be honest,” McGinley admitted. “I don’t think he’s primed the way he was this time last year, coming off wins at The Players and Pebble Beach [AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am].

“Clearly, the damage has derailed him a bit of bit. I feel it’ll be very tough – and it all the time is – to defend round Augusta. Rory’s focus ranges will likely be examined due to the actions that go on as defending champion.

“There’s a lot of stuff that goes on as defending champion – it’s a good problem to have and I’m sure he’s delighted with it, but I don’t know if it’s going to drive him into a top-level performance.”

Who will win The Masters? Watch the opening main of the yr solely stay on Sky Sports activities. Reside protection of the primary spherical begins on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract.