“There’s a long way to go,” Rory McIlroy unfocused on ‘rematch’ against Bryson DeChambeau in final round of 2025 Masters Tournament

Rory McIlroy will enter the final round of the Masters Tournament as the outright leader following a score of 66 on moving day.

“There’s a long way to go,” Rory McIlroy unfocused on ‘rematch’ against Bryson DeChambeau in final round of 2025 Masters Tournament

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau (Image via Imago)

After a slow start, Rory McIlroy sprinted right back into the 2025 Masters tournament. The North Irishman fired another score of 66 in this event on Saturday and will enter the final round as the outright leader. He will be paired with Bryson DeChambeau in the final pairing of this year’s event. The 4-time major champion admitted that there was still a “long way to go” and was unfocused on a rematch against the LIV Golfer.

DeChambeau carded a score of 69 to finish the day 2 shots behind McIlroy in second place. These two golfers took part in an intense matchup during the final round of the U.S. Open last year.

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In that major championship, McIlroy led until the final moments. He missed two close-range putts, which allowed the LIV Golfer to come back and snatch the title away from him. This saw McIlroy finish as the runner-up of the U.S. Open by 1 shot for the 2nd year running.

On Sunday, he and DeChambeau will tee off at the Augusta National as the final pairing. When asked about the chances of exacting his revenge and a ‘rematch’ between him and DeChambeau, McIlroy dismissed this talk and remained unfocused on it.

I think the big thing is to not make it a rematch, stay in my own little world… I think I still have to remind myself that there’s a long way to go. I, just as much as anyone else, know what can happen on the final day here.

Rory McIlroy said in the post round interview as per PGA Tour

McIlroy already knows that no lead is safe at the Augusta National. In 2011, he entered the final round with a 4-shot lead and seemed on pace to win the Masters Tournament at the age of 21. However, he collapsed on the back nine and shot 80 in the final round to finish outside of the top-10.

This is also the only time he failed to convert an outright lead heading into the final round at a major championship into a win. In all 4 of his major triumphs, he had been the outright leader after 54 holes.

Bryson DeChambeau drops 7-word reaction towards final round showdown of 2025 Masters Tournament

Bryson DeChambeau has been one of the LIV Golfers who has been in top form in the majors in the last 12 months. Unlike his other league mates, the Crushers GC captain has done well in the major championships. On Sunday, he will enter the final round hoping to add the green jacket to his collection. Before this, he dropped a 7-word reaction on social media.

Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau (Image via Imago)

The 31-year-old carded 6 birdies and 3 bogeys on the moving day of the Masters Tournament. His score of 69 saw him wrap up the day 2 shots behind Rory McIlroy.

Taking to his X account, the LIV Golfer hyped up the final round and expressed his excitement to battle it out for the title on Sunday.

Tomorrow is going to be fun. #TheMasters

Bryson DeChambeau on X

DeChambeau has been seen working hard in this event. He arrived early on the course and took to the range to practice his skills and sharpen up. A win on Sunday would make DeChambeau the 8th LIV Golfer to win the Masters, joining the likes of Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, and Phil Mickelson.

Can any golfer make a move in the final round and break the hearts of Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau?

The focus on Sunday will be on the final group pairing of Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. The two of them will be eyeing their first win in this event. While the two of them will battle it out for the title, can anyone else make a move and mount a comeback in the final round?

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy
Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy (Image via Golf)

While McIlroy is two shots ahead of DeChambeau, he is 4 shots ahead of third-place golfer Corey Conners, who is 8-under for the event after three rounds. Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg are tied for fourth while being 6-under for the event and 6 shots behind McIlroy.

Meanwhile, reigning champion and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is 7 shots behind McIlroy while being tied for 6th with Jason Day, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose. Even though no lead is safe in golf, these players will need to pull off a miracle to snatch the title.

The record for the biggest comeback in the Masters Tournament is held by Jack Burke Jr. for his incredible triumph in 1956. The golfer overcame an 8-shot lead in the final round and finished 1 shot ahead of amateur golfer Ken Venturi, who carded a score of 80 in the final round. So there is a chance that someone can make a move this Sunday and make history.