DeChambeau Eyes Renewed Rivalry with McIlroy at The Masters

Bryson DeChambeau is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Rory McIlroy at Augusta National, calling last year’s final-round disappointment “a great learning lesson.”

Arriving among the favourites, DeChambeau has finished inside the top six at The Masters in each of the past two years and comes into the event following consecutive wins on the LIV Golf League. The two-time US Open champion was in the final group with McIlroy last year, briefly held the lead on Sunday but ultimately finished tied for fifth after a three-over 75 as McIlroy secured the victory that completed his career Grand Slam.

There has been some friction between the pair: DeChambeau earlier suggested McIlroy “did not talk to him” during their final-round duel, a claim McIlroy later disputed in a new documentary. Still, DeChambeau welcomed the competition. “It's great if we can continue to have a rivalry,” he said. “I don't see any problem with that. If anything, it kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf. Do I respect him as an individual? 100 per cent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely... I hope there's more of those to come because it's great for the game.”

Reflecting on last year, DeChambeau said being in the final group gave him perspective. He began the week two strokes behind McIlroy, moved one ahead early after a par and a birdie while McIlroy double-bogeyed the opening hole, but then dropped shots with successive bogeys and lost ground through Amen Corner, finishing four shots behind. “Losing it and having things not go my way... was a great learning lesson,” he said. “As I reflect back on it, the one thing I can take from it is that I can put myself in those positions. The more I put myself in those positions, the better opportunities I'm going to have to win... I want to feel it again.”

On his current form, DeChambeau said his game is in the best place of his career—apart from his 58 at Greenbrier—and he is excited to see how the week unfolds. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley suggested DeChambeau’s presence last year may have sharpened McIlroy’s focus, recalling a taunt after the US Open months earlier that could have helped drive McIlroy to the mindset needed to complete the Grand Slam.