The China Mail - McIlroy leads by four as Masters back-nine battle begins

The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland, who has failed in 10 consecutive tries to complete the Slam at Augusta National, squandered a two-stroke lead on the first hole and fell one behind last-group playing partner Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning US Open champion.

But McIlroy came out in front on two-shot swings on both the third and fourth holes and after a seven-foot birdie putt at the ninth reached the 10th tee with a four-stroke edge on DeChambeau, Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and England's Justin Rose.

World number two McIlroy, a four-time major winner, has not won a major title since 2014 but hopes to end the drought and join Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan as the only players to win all four majors.

It's a thrilling rematch of a late duel with DeChambeau at last year's US Open that saw McIlroy bogey three of the last four holes as DeChambeau saved par from a bunker at the 72nd hole to win his second US Open title.

There were three two-shot swings in Sunday's first four holes in an electric atmosphere at what felt like a heavyweight fight, DeChambeau slapping hands and screaming with supporters on the way to the first tee as McIlroy kept his cool.

McIlroy found a fairway bunker off the first tee, missed an 18-foot par putt, then botched an eight-foot comeback putt to squander his edge with a double bogey.

With an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-5 second, DeChambeau grabbed the lead at 11-under.

McIlroy answered by curling in a nine-foot birdie putt at the par-4 third and when DeChambeau made bogey, missing a nine-foot par putt, McIlroy was back in front.

DeChambeau missed the green at the par-3 fourth and made another bogey while McIlroy sank another nine-foot birdie putt and, stunningly, the European star who gave away three strokes in the first two holes was ahead by three.

McIlroy blasted into right trees on the fifth but landed his second shot off pine straw to just off the green and saved par to stay on 12-under.

At the seventh, McIlroy found the left trees but landed his approach eight feet from the hole, laughing at his luck with a wide grin showing his delight. He even smiled after leaving the birdie putt short.

McIlroy closed the front nine with a birdie to reach 13-under while DeChambeau missed a seven-foot birdie attempt of his own.

- Aberg, Rose charge -

Aberg, last year's Masters runner-up in his major debut, and 36-hole leader Rose matched DeChambeau on nine-under.

Aberg birdied the 10th from just off the green to reach nine-under and Rose sank a 58-foot birdie at 11 and birdied the par-three 12th to join him.

It's the first time two multiple major winners were in the final Masters pairing since Greg Norman and Nick Faldo in the 1996 Masters.

The last eight Masters winners have all played in the final pair on Sunday.

The winner receives a record $4.2 million winner's prize from a record $21 million purse as well as the coveted green jacket symbolizing Masters supremacy.

McIlroy has found heartbreak at Augusta National, notably in 2011 when he led entering the last round before a horror-show back nine cost him what would have been his first major.

His best Masters finish was second to Scottie Scheffler in 2022.

McIlroy fired 66s on Friday and Saturday to seize the lead after an opening 72 that included double bogeys at 15 and 17. McIlroy could join Craig Stadler from 1982 as the only Masters winner with two double bogeys in the same round.

DeChambeau could join Australian runner-up Cameron Smith in 2020 as the only players to break 70 for all four rounds in the same Masters.

DeChambeau could claim the third major title for an active LIV Golf player in as many years, the Saudi-backed breakaway tour also boasting Brooks Koepka's 2023 PGA Championship and DeChambeau's 2024 US Open.

M.Chau--ThChM