“Grandest stage:” Rory vs Bryson sets up Masters showdown for the ages

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Does it get any better than this?

Golf fans witnessed an electric day at Augusta National, where Rory McIlroy soared to the top of the leaderboard over the first few holes with six straight threes — the first time anyone has ever done that in Masters history.

But Bryson DeChambeau produced fireworks of his own. He opened with a pair of birdies and finished with three more par-breakers over his final four holes to post his third straight sub-70 round — the only player in the field that can claim that honor.

DeChambeau drained a long-range bomb on the 18th hole to get to 10-under par as he sits two strokes behind McIlroy going into the final round.

Unlike last summer at Pinehurst No. 2, where DeChambeau bested McIlroy by one, and broke his heart in the process, these two superstars will play together in the final pairing.

“It will be the grandest stage that we’ve had in a long time, and I’m excited for it,” DeChambeau said of the opportunity.

“We both want to win really, really badly, and it’s — you know, shoot, there’s a lot of great players behind us, too. Got to be mindful of that and focus on — it’s about who can control themselves and who can execute the golf shots the best.

“Regarding the Patrons, it’s going to be an electric atmosphere.”

The patrons were unbelievable on Saturday afternoon, producing deafening roars early and often, especially when McIlroy made his move.

The loudest cry of the day came on the par-5 2nd hole, where McIlroy chipped in from beyond the green.

That eagle also gave him the lead, leaving many patrons to ask, “Is this really the year?”

Another patron beamed, saying, “I want Rory to win so bad.”

“It’s amazing to have the support. You know, these patrons and these galleries are a pleasure to play in front of, each and every year we come back,” McIlroy said.

“They are some of the most knowledgeable golf patrons or spectators that we play in front of. Yeah, look, it’s a pleasure to play in front of them and to have that atmosphere and that support. Tomorrow in that final group is going to be — it’s going to be a little rowdy and a little loud. I’m just going to have to settle in and really try to keep myself in my own little bubble and keep my head down and, you know, sort of approach tomorrow with the same attitude that I have tried to approach the last three days with.”

Of course, McIlroy has been looking to complete the career Grand Slam for 11 years now, ever since he won the Open Championship triumph at Royal Liverpool in 2014. He only needs a Green Jacket to complete the slam, and would join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods as the only players in history to do so.

McIlroy has not won a major since then, but has experienced plenty of agony. St. Andrews in 2022, Los Angeles Country Club in 2023, and the aforementioned defeat last year immediately come to mind.

“I think I still have to remind myself that there’s a long way to go,” McIlroy said.

“I, just as much as anyone else, know what can happen on the final day here. You know, I’ve got a lot of experience. I came in here talking about being the most complete version of myself as a golfer, and you know, I just have to keep reminding myself of that and remind myself that no matter what situation or scenario I find myself in tomorrow, I’ll be able to handle it.”

It’s worth noting that the last eight Masters champions have come out of the final pairing — the last winner not to do so was Danny Willett in 2016, when Jordan Spieth blew the championship on the 12th hole.

So history tells us it will likely be one of these two superstars.

McIlroy and DeChambeau tee off at 2:30 p.m. ET. The entire sporting world will watch as the two most popular players on the planet battle for a Green Jacket on golf’s most sacred grounds.

Does it get any better than this?

It certainly does not.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.