DeChambeau heroics set up scintillating Masters finish

AUGUSTA – Bryson DeChambeau delivered some late fireworks at the Masters on April 12 to set up a high-profile final-round showdown with Rory McIlroy that will be a rematch of their battle at the 2024 US Open.

DeChambeau, who took advantage of a late collapse by McIlroy to win the US Open, earned a spot in the April 13 (April 14, Singapore time) final pairing at Augusta when he drained a monstrous 48-foot birdie putt from off the green at the closing par-four 18th.

It will be just the fourth time in the last 30 years that the final pairing of a Major will feature two multiple Major champions. This time, it will also just happen to feature two of the game’s most popular players.

“It will be the grandest stage that we’ve had in a long time, and I’m excited for it,” DeChambeau said after a three-under 69 brought him to 10-under 206 on the week and two shots back of McIlroy.

At the 2024 US Open, DeChambeau entered the final round with a three-shot lead and briefly lost it to McIlroy, until the Northern Irishmans putter went cold late and threw away what would have been his first Major title since the PGA Championship in 2014.

The two have not spoken much since.

“Not really. He said congrats at the British Open,” said DeChambeau. “And that’s pretty much it. We’ve been fine ever since. It’s not really been an issue.”

Now it will be the American on the chase and he is happy to be the hunter and not the hunted.

“Yeah, I think it’s fun, feeling like you have to hit every single shot to the best of your ability, and you can’t let off the gas pedal,” said the 31-year-old.

“When you’re leading, it’s a little