Bryson DeChambeau is relishing the chance to renew his rivalry with Rory McIlroy at the Masters, having learned a “great lesson” from last year’s final round disappointment.
DeChambeau is one of the favorites to challenge for his third major title at Augusta National, with the American coming into the event having won back-to-back LIV Golf League titles, with top-six finishes the past two years.
The two-time US Open champion entered last year’s final round in the final group with McIlroy and briefly led on an eventful Sunday, but finished tied for fifth with a 3-over 75 as his playing partner claimed the victory he needed to complete a career Grand Slam.
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Now that McIlroy is back to defend his Masters title, take a look at some of his best shots ever at Augusta National
DeChambeau previously claimed McIlroy “didn’t speak to me” during their final round encounter, a suggestion the Northern Irishman shot down in a new documentary ahead of this year’s contest, but said he would relish the chance to face off again.
“It would be great if we can maintain this rivalry in the future,” DeChambeau said at a pre-tournament press conference. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. If anything, it might help create more buzz in the golf world.
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McIlroy completes career grand slam by defeating Justin Rose in a playoff at the Masters
“Do I respect him as a person? 100 percent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Of course there’s no question about that.
“I think the great thing about the game of golf is that while you have respect for him as a sportsman, you also have the desire to absolutely beat the person you know.
“It’s one of those things. He got me here (2025 Masters) the same way he got me here at Pinehurst (2024 U.S. Open, second place). I hope more guys like that come along because it’s great for the game.”
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Highlights of the thrilling final round of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, where Bryson DeChambeau snatches victory
‘I want to feel it again’ – DeChambeau uses Masters loss as motivation
DeChambeau entered the final round two strokes behind McIlroy, but after seeing his partner double bogey on the first hole, he made a par birdie start and found himself in the lead by one after two holes.
He quickly fell back with back-to-back bogeys and never recovered, dropping three more shots on the two holes at Amen Corner and ultimately finishing four strokes behind McIlroy.
“(The loss) was a great lesson,” DeChambeau added. “Being in the lead, tied for the lead, and the last round of the group where we were in the lead gave me a lot of perspective on it.
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Highlights from DeChambeau’s final round at last year’s Masters. After finishing with 75 points, they were eliminated from contention for the championship.
“Then we lost, the match ended and it didn’t go our way, and Rory hit the Grand Slam. Last year, he hit the Grand Slam. It was really cool to see it live.”
“Looking back, the only thing you can take from it is being able to put yourself in positions like that. The more you put yourself in positions like that, the better your chances of winning.”
Will DeChambeau and McIlroy meet again this week at the Masters?
“It’s a gradual learning process. I don’t know what’s going to happen this week, but I definitely want to give it my all and get back in that position because I want to feel it again.”
“I’m obviously playing well and I feel like my game is in the best place of my career, with the exception of the Greenbrier (an LIV Golf League event) where I hit 58 shots,” DeChambeau said of feeling well heading into this week.
“Other than that, I’m looking forward to starting this week and seeing where I fit in.”
How ‘trending’ DeChambeau ‘contributed’ to McIlroy’s Masters win
DeChambeau has emerged as an in-form player looking to prevent McIlroy from successfully defending his Masters title, but former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes he was “instrumental” in helping McIlroy win the Grand Slam last April.
“There’s no doubt that playing Bryson (DeChambeau) in the final round last year helped them more than it hurt Bryson (DeChambeau),” McGinley said on a media call ahead of the Masters, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from Thursday.
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McIlroy and some of golf’s most recognizable faces look back at the moment he achieved his lifelong dream of winning the Masters and completing a career Grand Slam.
“The reason it helped them was because Bryson disrespected them when they did a made-for-TV event in the desert six months ago. He (DeChambeau) made a smart comment about Lowry failing at the U.S. Open for Bryson to win.”
“That’s been documented and that’s what he did in terms of driving Lawrie to focus and winning a Grand Slam. Bryson really did him a favor because he forced him to focus. He let him down and instilled in him (McIlroy) the mindset he needed.”
Who will win the Masters? Watch the opening match of this year’s Major live exclusively on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the first round will begin on Sky Sports Golf from 2pm on Thursday. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
