Golf fans across New Jersey and around the world are in for a thrill this Sunday as one of the most electric final pairings in recent Masters history takes center stage: Rory McIlroy vs. Bryson DeChambeau. The drama is already sky-high at Augusta National, and what’s at stake is nothing less than golf immortality.
It’s been 11 long years since McIlroy last hoisted a major championship trophy. Since then, he’s knocked on the door time and time again—but the green jacket has remained just out of reach. This week at Augusta, he’s never looked more determined to change that.
Saturday’s third round was vintage Rory—an explosive mix of precision and passion. He began the day with a stunning run of birdies and chipped in for eagle on the second hole, sending roars echoing through Georgia’s rolling pines. But it was his majestic 6-iron to six feet on the 15th—leading to yet another eagle—that had the golf world believing that this, finally, could be the year.
His 6-under 66 earned him a two-shot lead at 12-under 204, his first 54-hole lead in a major since winning the PGA Championship in 2014. Now, all that stands in his way is a familiar and formidable rival.
Enter Bryson DeChambeau, golf’s ultimate showman. The scientist-turned-sensation is riding the momentum of a rock-solid 69 on Saturday, punctuated by a 50-foot birdie bomb on 18 that had fans on their feet. But DeChambeau isn’t just here to entertain—he’s here to win. And he’s got recent history on his side.
It was just last June when Bryson broke McIlroy’s heart at the U.S. Open, capitalizing on late-round miscues to snatch the title. Sunday at Augusta is shaping up to be more than just a battle for a major—it’s a test of nerves, redemption, and raw talent.
“It’s not about a rematch,” McIlroy said after his round. “It’s about staying focused, staying in my own little world.” Still, he knows how thin the margins are—especially at Augusta, where a single mistake can unravel a round.
McIlroy isn’t the only one in the mix, though. Corey Conners played his way into third place with a composed 70 and sits four shots back. Behind him, the leaderboard is filled with major winners and young talent hungry to make a move—Patrick Reed, Ludvig Åberg, and Shane Lowry all within striking distance, albeit needing something special.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Justin Rose, who started the day with the lead, both faltered, now trailing by seven. But with Augusta, anything is possible—and Sunday drama is practically tradition.
For New Jersey’s many golf lovers, it doesn’t get better than this. Whether you’re teeing off at your local course or just tuning in from the couch, you won’t want to miss a single shot of what promises to be a Masters Sunday for the ages.
What to Watch:
🏌️♂️ Final Round of The Masters
📍 Augusta National Golf Club
📆 Sunday, April 13, 2025
⏰ Coverage begins in the morning, final pairing tees off in the afternoon
🎯 McIlroy (-12) leads DeChambeau (-10) by two strokes