If Rory McIlroy wins a career grand slam with the Masters on Sunday, he will likely have to hold back a man he couldn’t do at last year’s US Open.
The Northern Irish took the lead at Pinehurst last June with four holes remaining, but followed three of them, losing a very short putt at 16 and 18.
That allowed Bryson Deccanbaugh to collect the trophy, earning him a second major after the US opened in 2020, allowing him to extend the long wait for fifth McIlroy.
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Rory McIlroy took him a step closer to an elusive grand slam with a 66 in the third round at Augusta, who took him a two-shot lead ahead of the final round.
It’s been nearly 11 years since McIlroy last recorded a victory in one of the game’s four biggest events, but that barren run may be about to end with the title he really coveted.
World No 2 will take a two-stroke lead in the final round of August National’s Masters. Dedanbo ended Saturday with the Americans drilling a hole in their outstanding long distance birdie at 6pm.
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Bryson DeDanbaugh pulled inside the two shots of Masters leader Rory McIlroy and won three birdies on four holes to set up an attractive final day at Augusta.
“It’s Rory’s time to win the Masters.”
While patrons at the venue and those watching on TV are ready for a fierce battle, Sky Sports’ Dame Laura Davies and Rich Beem have supported McIlroy in the victory, becoming the sixth player in history, earning all four male majors at least once.
Davis said: “I’ll stick with Rory, but it’s going to be a Titanic fight.
Image: Career Grand Slam
Beem added: “It’s Rory’s time. He learns a lot about himself and that’s what he’ll be the stage. He’s ready to win much more than his previous ten attempts. [at the Grand Slam] And I think he’ll do that. But he will be taken to work all day by Bryson. ”
Despite Beem’s falling over McIlroy, he believes that what happened at the US Open last summer could endure Augusta National.
“I think that’s certainly a big plus for Bryson. He knows that, and Rory knows it deep inside him. I think Rory will have a healthy conversation with his psychologist about it.
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Rory McIlroy extended his lead at the top of the Masters leaderboard with a sensational eagle on Augusta’s par 5 15th hole during the third round.
“Hopefully we’ll see a fight to a bitter end and the toughest gladiators win, but I know that Bryson will have the advantage in the first tee in the Little Mind Game.”
Pinehurst surrender was not the first taste of McIlroy’s grand slam heartache.
In 2011, he led the Masters with four shots after three rounds, shooting 80 times a day later, finishing with a 15th share. What should have been his first major title is the only title he hasn’t won yet, hanging around his neck.
Image: Lori McIlroy’s major record since the 2014 PGA Championship victory
That pressure is there again on Sunday, but he now appears to have the mental fortitude to deal with it with the help of sports psychologist Bob Roterra. The fact that he has already won twice this year’s PGA Tour, the player and the Pro Am in Pebble Beach, and he has been winning over the years.
“Why am I standing up in this situation?”
Like Deccanbo, playing with talented and loud people on the course is what McIlroy says is inspiring him.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the third round of 66 at Augusta, Rory McIlroy suggested he won’t be able to move away from Bryson Deccanbo’s challenge to win the Masters and complete a career grand slam.
“I’m not embarrassed by that. Why I stand up, work hard and try to do the right thing.
“If I didn’t want this moment, I wouldn’t be doing those things. These are the pairings I want to be and I’m excited about it.”
Davis added:
Image: Rory McIilroy’s past 54 holes lead the majors
“You learn more from them than victory. He puts himself in the perfect position. But it’s not finished yet. And it’s not just the top two either.”
Davis is still hunting with 6 shots from 2018 Masters Patrick Reed, still in the distance of defending champion Scotty Scheffler hitting seven strokes at pace, but it feels like a top two.
McIlroy vs Dechambeau. One man is about to clinch a Grand Slam, the other is about to break the plan. Is that America open again in 2024, or is this, in the end, Rory’s finest glory?
Image: Will DeChembeau ruin Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam bid on Sunday?
When does Masters live in Sky Sports?
Sky Sports Golf shows record time coverage from this year’s Masters. A live special build-up show will be available on weekends starting at 3pm ahead of full coverage starting at 5pm.
Sky Sports+ on Sky Q and Sky Glass offer plenty of bonus feeds and allow players to follow the progress of different parts of Augusta’s famous layout, including Amen Corner and more.
Watch the final round of Masters Live from 3pm at Sky Sports Golf, starting Sunday. Get Sky Sports and Streams without a contract.
