Rory’s Grand Slam Quest Faces One DeChambeau-Sized Hurdle At Masters

Rory McIlroy's Grand Slam quest will be decided Sunday in the final round of the Masters. (Photo by ... More David Cannon/Getty Images)
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There are very few moments when the sport of golf takes over the sporting world. Yes, the Masters takes place every year in April – with the exception of the Covid year in 2020 – but it’s not every year that gives the sport a classic confrontation.
Yet, that’s just what is about to happen Sunday. Two of the sport’s greatest competitors – and also its most popular players – are teeing off in the final round of the Masters.
The first major tournament of the year has eclipsed all of the others. There was a time when the U.S. Open attempted to claim that title, and it was usually supplanted by The Open Championship – a tournament once known as The British Open. But neither of those tournaments, even though they are much older, can match the majesty of what happens on Magnolia Lane in Augusta, Georgia.
The Georgia golf course is clearly a beautiful tract of land, but it is the competition that features the best golfers in the world that is the story. This year, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is attempting to not only win the Masters but become a grand slam champion. He won the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and the PGA more than 10 years ago. He has been on the verge of the Grand Slam and another major title, but he has never been able to reach his goal.
McIlroy goes into Sunday’s final round with a score of 12 under par, two strokes better than Bryson DeChambeau. However, it seems like anything but an advantage. DeChambeau already got the better of McIlroy in last year’s U.S. Open, taking the title from Northern Ireland’s favorite son in heart-rending fashion.
In short, DeChambeau made a spectacular up-and-down on the final hole shortly after McIlroy missed two short putts during the final three holes.
McIlroy has to battle that demon prior to tee off and perhaps all the way through the round if he is going to emerge victoriously in the Masters and join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as a grand slam winner.