Bryson DeChambeau is relishing the chance to renew his rivalry with Rory McIlroy at The Masters after calling last year’s final-round disappointment a “great learning lesson”.
DeChambeau arrives at Augusta National among the favourites, having finished inside the top six the past two years and coming into the event on the back of consecutive LIV Golf League wins. The two-time US Open champion was in the final group with McIlroy last year, briefly held the lead on Sunday but finished tied for fifth after a three-over 75 as McIlroy secured the victory that completed his career Grand Slam.
Earlier, DeChambeau suggested McIlroy “did not talk to him” during their final-round duel; McIlroy later disputed that in a new documentary. Still, DeChambeau said he welcomed the rivalry. “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’s finish, DeChambeau said being in the last group on Sunday gave him perspective. He had gone into the final round two strokes behind McIlroy, moved one ahead after a par-birdie start while McIlroy double-bogeyed the opening hole, but then dropped back with successive bogeys and lost further ground through Amen Corner, eventually ending four shots adrift. “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 form, DeChambeau added that his game is in the best place of his career, barring his 58 at Greenbrier, and said he was excited to see where the week would take him.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley suggested DeChambeau’s presence last year helped sharpen McIlroy’s focus. McGinley recalled an incident six months earlier in which DeChambeau had taunted McIlroy after the US Open, saying that irritation may have driven McIlroy to the mindset needed to complete the Grand Slam.