2 weeks Ago By Neil McLeman
Rory McIlroy is determined to keep his focus solely on the Masters title and not turn his final round pairing with Bryson DeChambeau into a redux of their clash at last year's US Open. The world No.2 has vowed to remain within his own "little bubble" seeking inspiration from "cliche mantras" scribbled in the back of his yardage book.
With back-to-back 66s, the Northern Irishman had a four-shot lead with just four holes remaining in Saturday's third round. However, the momentum shifted slightly when the American rallied with three late birdies – spectacularly sinking a 16-yard putt from off the green on the 18th – slimming McIlroy's lead to two and ensuring his place in the final grouping. Both golfers are yet to don the Masters' green jacket.
During the final round of last June's US Open in Pinehurst, McIlroy was ahead but stumbled with late bogeys, enabling DeChambeau to edge ahead by one stroke. DeChambeau has anticipated an "electric atmosphere" for Sunday's finale, while McIlroy expects a scene that's "a little rowdy and a little loud" at Augusta National. But the multi-Major champion insists: "I think the big thing is to not make it a re-match.
Stay in my own little world. Stay in my cocoon, in my little bubble. Keep my head down.
I have to put myself in my own world and concentrate on myself and set myself a score. If I can set myself a target and achieve it, hopefully that will be enough. "He will do what he does - I have to stay firm and stay in my own little bubble.
I have a few little notes written in the back of my yardage book that I glance at every now and again while I'm walking the fairway. Just little reminders. Little, you know, one- or two-sentence things.
I mean, all the cliche mantras that you've heard before, really." It will indeed be Europe versus the USA in a Ryder Cup year, yet McIlroy remains an immensely popular figure across the pond in America. "It's amazing to have the support," acknowledged McIlroy.
"These patrons and these galleries are a pleasure to play in front of, each and every year we come back. They are some of the most knowledgeable golf patrons or spectators that we play in front of. "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 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 approach tomorrow with the same attitude that I have tried to approach the last three days with." In preparation for his final round, McIlroy intended to unwind by tuning into another episode of 'Bridgerton' on Saturday evening, alongside a strategic discussion with his sports psychologist Bob Rotella.
"The message going into today was just keep doing the same thing," he revealed. After their discussions, it became evident that there was no need to deviate from their established game plan: "We've had the chats - there's nothing new here. "I've talked about trying to chase a feeling out there, you know, if I can have that feeling.
And if I can go home tonight and look in the mirror before I go to bed and be like: 'That's the way I want to feel when I play golf', that, to me, is a victory.".
