DeChambeau Gains Momentum for Masters, But Did He Boost McIlroy's Grand Slam Chances?

Bryson DeChambeau is the in-form golfer aiming to thwart Rory McIlroy's title defence at The Masters, having possibly played a role in McIlroy's Grand Slam triumph last year. DeChambeau has secured back-to-back LIV Golf League victories and is among the top contenders for a third major title this week, 12 months after losing a thrilling final-round duel with McIlroy at Augusta National. McIlroy had squandered a two-shot lead on the first hole of a dramatic Sunday, where DeChambeau briefly took the lead before fading to a tied-fifth finish after a final-round 75. DeChambeau had previously snatched US Open victory from McIlroy at Pinehurst No 2, and later mocked McIlroy's final-round collapse, saying: "You kind of did it to yourself." McIlroy responded by ending his 11-year wait for an elusive fifth major title at The Masters, where he played alongside DeChambeau on the final day. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes their rivalry was a positive factor in McIlroy's Grand Slam success. McGinley stated: "There's no doubt that playing with Bryson in the last round last year helped McIlroy more than hurt him. The reason it helped was that Bryson belittled McIlroy six months previously, which drove McIlroy into focus and forced him to win the Grand Slam. Bryson really did McIlroy a favour by getting him in the right mindset." McGinley added that DeChambeau's comments after the US Open, where he won after McIlroy's collapse, had a profound effect on McIlroy. DeChambeau has posted top-10 finishes in six of his last eight majors and is currently second in the LIV Golf League individual standings. McGinley thinks DeChambeau is trending towards a major victory, but notes that his iron play needs to improve. McIlroy, on the other hand, is looking to become the first player since Tiger Woods to successfully defend the Green Jacket, but his game has been affected by an injury that forced him to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational. McGinley admitted that McIlroy's game is "off" and that defending the title at Augusta will be challenging.