In an elegant arena an electric Rory McIlroy hunts his first Masters title

AUGUSTA – In the shadow of a mighty oak tree on April 12, in the kind light of a Saturday afternoon, the week’s best golfers began their chase for sporting immortality. Along the way they might have noticed that beside the greens at the Masters is often a small, roped-away space. Reserved for “movie crew” it says.

It makes sense, for the unscripted drama of sport makes for the finest epics. One might unspool on Sunday when an American partial to James Bond movies clashes with a Northern Irishman who is currently watching Bridgerton episodes on Netflix.

“A fun test” was Bryson DeChambeau’s verdict of his impending duel with Rory McIlroy. Let’s add it will be explosive. The American leads the field in distance by averaging 330 yards on his drives, the European is a close second on 325. Still, this is not about muscle, but nerve.

Saturday was supposed to be moving day, but it sure felt like McIlroy day. He started his third round 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 which translated to birdie, eagle, birdie, par, birdie. Let’s just say he was flying. It was majestic, high-energy, record-writing sport and yet it’s not enough. The only number which concerns him comes on Sunday and it is one. As in coming first and earning what his Major wardrobe lacks.

A Green Jacket.

McIlroy wobbled midway on Saturday with two bogeys, responded with another birdie and a gorgeous eagle – a six iron from 205 yards to six feet on the par-five 15th – and finished with a six-under 66. Sublime? Not quite. Congratulated on a low round, he replied: “Not that low.” These fellows have standards. Just like DeChambeau, who had three birdies in his last four holes, including a 50-foot birdie putt on the 18th. He lurks two