Whether either player would like to admit it, the rivalry between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau will be one of the most interesting subplots at The Masters next week.
It felt too good to be true when Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau ended up in the final group at The Masters 12 months ago.
What would be the most blockbuster final pairing at The Masters?
Scottie and Spieth or Rory and Bryson?
At the time, there was already reason to think that the pair may not be sending each other Christmas cards each year.
They were the two biggest stars on either side of golf’s civil war. Meanwhile, McIlroy made sure to not hang around after DeChambeau snatched the US Open trophy from his grasp at Pinehurst in 2024.
Another chapter in the rivalry between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau looks set to be written at The Masters
McIlroy had the last laugh at Augusta National as he completed the Career Grand Slam. DeChambeau, meanwhile, was criticised for seeming annoyed as he claimed that the Northern Irishman did not speak to him all day.
It already appeared to be entirely possible that both men would put themselves in the mix this time around, too.
McIlroy no longer needs to feel the burden of finally winning at Augusta. DeChambeau goes into the first major of the year having won the last two LIV Golf events.
But McIlroy added some fuel to the fire by revealing in a recently released Amazon documentary that they engaged in a brief disagreement last year over who was first to putt on the ninth green.
Some have hit out at McIlroy for how petty he sounded. He was baffled, almost incredulous, by DeChambeau suggesting that they flip a tee to decide.
Obviously, DeChambeau has some way to go before he gets close to matching the career McIlroy has had.
He is three majors adrift, while McIlroy has nearly four times the number of professional victories.
But their rivalry is not really about how much either player has won. DeChambeau was arguably the most popular player on the planet when he won at Pinehurst.
So there is an opportunity for DeChambeau to wrestle back the upper hand at Augusta National.
Bryson DeChambeau should be particularly motivated by one Masters tradition
Of course, McIlroy will be the man presenting the Green Jacket to the winner on Sunday night.
Even DeChambeau’s biggest critics will admit that it will be quite something if he is the player McIlroy places the iconic garment on.
Many can probably reel off a long list of previous Masters winners just by recalling who was involved in handing over the jacket each year.
Those moments immediately go down in history.
DeChambeau should be a heavy favourite to win next week given his recent form and his last couple of performances at Augusta National.
The prospect of having McIlroy present him with the Green Jacket should just give him that extra edge.
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