Sunday’s round promised a thrilling sequel to McIlroy’s duel with DeChambeau at last year’s US Open.
The American, who snatched a dramatic triumph at Pinehurst, was second after three rounds and looked poised to wreck the world number two’s hopes again.
But after a promising start which saw him take the lead with a birdie on the second hole, DeChambeau slipped to a three-over-par 75 as Rose – who started the day seven back – emerged as McIlroy’s biggest challenger.
Thirty-six hole leader Rose, who slipped down the leaderboard on Saturday with a 75, began with two birdies in his first three. While bogeys at four and five stalled his momentum, he picked up five shots in a seven-hole span to thrust himself into the mix.
While former world number one Rose dropped further shots at 14 and 17, he birdied 15, 16 and drained a 20-footer on the last to pile the pressure on McIlroy.
Having also finished runner-up at last year’s Open Championship, it is another heartbreaking loss for Rose, but he played a central role in a Masters final round for the ages.
“I just said [to McIlroy], this is a historic moment in golf, someone who achieves the career Grand Slam.
“I said it was pretty cool to be able to share that moment with him.
“Obviously I wanted to be the bad guy , but still, it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.”
Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who finished runner-up on his debut to Scheffler in 2024, briefly shared the lead with McIlroy and Rose but dropped four shots in his last two holes to finish seventh.
Patrick Reed, champion in 2018, carded a closing 69, which was matched by two-time winner Scheffler, who finished a shot further back on eight under.
