Rory McIlroy Gags Masters Lead to Bryson DeChambeau, Fans Get Mean
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Kendall is a Newsweek contributor and editor for Newsweek based in Los Angeles. His focus is all things sports with an emphasis on every aspect of professional and amateur golf. Kendall has been with Newsweek since February, 2025 and previously managed SB Nation's golf content, as well as spending nearly a decade at FOX Sports. He is a graduate of California State University of Northridge. You can get in touch with Kendall by emailing k.capps@newsweek.com
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Rory McIlroy entered Sunday's final round of the 89th Masters Tournament with a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy is looking to snap an 11-year winless drought in major championships, while also claiming his first Green Jacket to complete the career Grand Slam.
Therefore, all of the pressure is on the four-time major champion.
Unfortunately for the Northern Irishman, that pressure is already having an affect.
McIlroy double bogeyed the par-4 1st to drop into a tie. The next hole he missed a chance at birdie on the par-5 2nd, but DeChambeau did not, taking the lead.
The quick turnaround left fans online throwing McIlroy under the bus, hard.
Several fans referenced McIlroy choking, which likely hits home for the 35-year-old.
He blew a late lead in the 2024 U.S. Open to who else but DeChambeau.
But some fans went rather topical with a recent perceived choke job.
X user Loyal to the Soil Dan posted a screenshot of the Duke men's basketball team from the NCAA Championship Game. Duke led that game by six with just over 30 seconds remaining.
They ultimately lost by four in regulation.
But just as people were having fun at McIlroy's expense, the Masters turned on its head.
McIlroy birdied the par-4 3rd as DeChambeau bogeyed. That flipped the leaderboard for the second time already on Sunday.
Then on the par-3 4th, McIlroy hit a beautiful tee shot to 10 feet. Before he had a crack at the par-breaker, DeChambeau dropped another shot to 9-under.
Then Rory McIlroy showed he has some metal after all. He drained the downhill birdie putt to take a three-shot advantage.
So, within the first hour, Rory went from two ahead, to one behind, to three ahead.
That has fans not knowing what to do with themselves anymore.
Buckle up. Sunday is sure to deliver an incredible amount of drama at the Masters.
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