Rory McIlroy will attempt to keep away from turning the ultimate spherical of the Masters right into a “rematch” with Bryson DeChambeau as he bids to finish the profession grand slam.
McIlroy carded a second successive 66 at Augusta Nationwide to carry a two-shot lead over DeChambeau, who edged out the Northern Irishman in dramatic style to win his second US Open title at Pinehurst final yr.
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
“It was an superior day and places me into an important place going into tomorrow,” McIlroy mentioned after a 3rd spherical which began with six straight threes and included eagles on the second and fifteenth.
“I feel the massive factor is to not make it a rematch, keep in my very own little world.
“There’s just a few different individuals who may make a run, I simply have to remain in my very own little bubble and method the day with the identical angle I’ve the previous couple of days.”
McIlroy started the third spherical two photographs behind Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose, however birdied the primary, chipped in for an eagle on the second and likewise birdied the third and fifth.
“Clearly it was a dream begin,” McIlroy added. “Hit two good photographs on one and transformed, three good photographs on two, three good photographs on three.
“From ending yesterday afternoon to teeing off as we speak there’s a variety of anticipation and anxious vitality and with all of that, to start out the best way I did was wonderful.
“I had just a little wobble across the flip there and I assumed the par putt on 11 was big to get some momentum again. After that each one I used to be making an attempt to do was make the most of the par fives coming in and I used to be ready to do this.”
BRIDGERTON
McIlroy mentioned he had no thought how he spent Saturday night in 2011 when he held a four-shot lead earlier than collapsing to a closing 80, however would doubtless watch an episode of Bridgerton and preserve off his cellphone tonight.
“I nonetheless must remind myself there’s an extended solution to go,” he added. “I, simply as a lot as anybody else, know what can occur on the ultimate day right here.
“I got here in right here speaking about being essentially the most full model of myself as a golfer, I simply must preserve reminding myself that it doesn’t matter what state of affairs I discover myself in tomorrow I’ll have the ability to deal with it.”
JAMES BOND
DeChambeau revealed his Saturday night’s viewing would contain a Pierce Brosnan-era James Bond movie as he relished the prospect of taking over McIlroy on Sunday.
“Will probably be the grandest stage that we’ve had in a very long time, and I’m excited for it,” DeChambeau mentioned.
“We each need to win actually, actually badly and there’s a variety of nice gamers behind us, too. Bought to be aware of that and it’s about who can management themselves and who can execute the golf photographs one of the best.
“On 15, 16, 17, 18 I simply stored pondering to myself, simply get within the remaining pairing. It’s all the time necessary in a serious championship to attempt to be within the remaining pair.
“It was positively enjoyable realizing that it was Rory and realizing that we may have a superb match up tomorrow. Like I mentioned, we’re not the one gamers on the market. There’s nonetheless a variety of nice gamers. However it’s going to be a enjoyable check.”
