Golf fans could have hardly dreamt of a more tantalising prospect ahead of the final round of The Masters than Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau finding themselves in the final group with 18 holes to play.
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau starred in one of the greatest days in major championship history last year, with the American winning the US Open by one shot at Pinehurst.
DeChambeau did brilliantly to get across the line. However, McIlroy had every right to feel that he had lost himself the tournament, after making three bogeys in the final four holes.
There was a real question mark whether the 35-year-old would win another major. And those questions got even louder after McIlroy made two double bogeys late on Thursday to leave himself at even par at The Masters.
Rich Beem predicts whether Rory McIlroy or Bryson DeChambeau will win The Masters
Since then however, McIlroy has posted two 66s to take a two-shot lead into the final round. And it is DeChambeau just behind after he made a stunning putt on the last to make it three birdies in four.
McIlroy has the scars, while DeChambeau has the knowledge of getting the job done at Pinehurst. Nevertheless, speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 13/4), Rich Beem opted for McIlroy when asked to pick a winner.
“I think in years gone by the double double finish that we saw on Thursday would have really hampered him but I think it spurred him on. I think what he has done with his game, being a lot more patient, I think that is why he went on to the win The Players Championship. He did not have his best stuff at The Players Championship but he found a way to get it done,” he said.
“I think that Rory is by far more prepared to win tomorrow than he has ever been in the 11 previous attempts at it. I still think he is going to get it done, but boy is he going to be taken to task by Bryson.”
Where Beem expects DeChambeau to have the edge over McIlroy
It was notable that DeChambeau was so hyped up after making his birdie on the last hole. He was embracing the love from those watching on as he exited the stage.
But Beem does not expect one of the two to receive more love than the other from the patrons. He did however, suggest that DeChambeau may have the edge when it comes to the mind games.
“I think it’s a big plus in Bryson’s favour for sure. I think that Bryson’s certainly going to know it. Rory, in the back of his mind, is certainly going to know it. I think he’s going to have a healthy conversation, Rory will, with his psychologist Dr Bob Rotella tonight – in order to, ‘how do I deal with it, how do I look at this?’ And you mentioned the crowds tomorrow, how are they going to handle them. I think if the crowds start rooting for Bryson more than they do Rory, I think Rory’s going to take that personally, and I think it’s going to help spur him on. But I just don’t see the crowds rooting more for Bryson or Rory. I think they’re going to get behind both these guys hopefully,” he added.
“They’re going to fight to the bitter end, and the toughest gladiator wins. But I definitely know that Bryson, as far as small, little head games that they play out here, he’s going to have the edge on that first tee.”
McIlroy has been five shots better than DeChambeau over the last two days. But DeChambeau has plenty of momentum after his finish on Saturday, while there are plenty of other players who will hope to spring a surprise.
And clearly, having the most talent is only part of the battle when it comes to winning the sport’s biggest prizes.
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