Bryson DeChambeau is relishing the chance to resume his rivalry with Rory McIlroy at The Masters, having taken a ‘nice studying lesson’ from final yr’s final-round disappointment.
DeChambeau is among the many favourites to problem for a 3rd main title at Augusta Nationwide, 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 2-time US Open champion went into final yr’s closing spherical within the closing group with McIlroy and briefly led throughout an eventful Sunday, solely to finish tied fifth – after a three-over 75 – as his taking part in associate claimed the victory required to finish the profession Grand Slam.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
As McIlroy returns to defend his Masters title, check out a number of the finest pictures he has ever made at Augusta Nationwide
DeChambeau beforehand claimed McIlroy ‘didn’t speak 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 type of helps create extra buzz across the recreation of golf.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
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 wish to beat him each time I see him? Completely, there isn’t any query about it.
“I believe that is what’s so sensible concerning the recreation of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect after which wanting to simply completely beat the dwelling 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.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights from an exhilarating closing spherical of the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No 2, the place Bryson DeChambeau snatched victory
‘I wish to really feel it once more’ – 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 taking part in associate double-bogey the opening gap.
He instantly slipped again with back-to-back bogeys and by no means recovered, dropping three extra pictures throughout two holes of Amen Nook and finally ending 4 strokes behind McIlroy.
“It [losing] was a great learning lesson,” DeChambeau added. “Main or being tied for the lead and having the lead, that final group closing spherical, gave me a variety of perspective on it.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights from DeChambeau’s closing spherical finally 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 will need 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 type 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.
“Outdoors of that, I am 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 making an attempt to disclaim 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, stay from Thursday on Sky Sports activities Golf.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
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 finish 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 type 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 bought him [McIlroy] within the mindset he must 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 activities or stream with no contract.
