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Rory McIlroy has detailed exactly how he plans to shut out the noise and beat Bryson DeChambeau to finally win his elusive first Masters on an electric Sunday at Augusta.
The Northern Irishman goes into the final day with a two-shot lead over his American rival, in a rematch of the 2024 US Open that saw DeChambeau come from behind to beat him.
But now, in a live CBS television interview with Amanda Balionis that had fans hanging off his every word, McIlroy has detailed his plan to overcome his demons and pull on the Green Jacket for the first time in his career.
‘I think the thing is to not make it a rematch,’ four-time major winner McIlroy told Balionis on air, adding that he plans to ‘stay in his own world’ to drown out the noise of the patrons at Augusta.
That is in stark contract to DeChambeau, who spent much of Saturday afternoon high-fiving his supporters and reveling in the cheers as he walked between holes.
After a monster birdie putt on 18, the American could be heard shouting, ‘Let’s go! That’s what I’m talking about’ as he walked off the course.
Rory McIlroy was interviewed by Amanda Balionis after walking off the course at Augusta
McIlroy says he plans to block out the noise and be in his ‘own world’, rather than revel in it
McIlroy, meanwhile, is keen to stay much calmer and more measured as he attempts to win his first major since 2014 – an 11-year drought at the top level.
He added: ‘I think I still have to remind myself that there’s a long way to go, just like I said yesterday, 18 holes.
‘I know what can happen on the final day here. 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.’
McIlroy and DeChambeau go off at 2:30pm EST on Sunday, with the former going for a career Grand Slam after over a decade of trying.
Bryson DeChambeau appeared to thrive off the noise and was seen high-fiving the patrons
McIlroy finished second at Augusta back in 2022 and has suffered multiple on-course meltdowns that he will be desperate to avenge.
DeChambeau, meanwhile, is a two-time US Open winner but has also never pulled on the Green Jacket, coming closest last year with a sixth-placed finish.
The mouthwatering Sunday showdown also represents a battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, with McIlroy acting as one of the original tour’s biggest voices, while DeChambeau is perhaps the most-high profile defector.
