Rory McIlroy sparks fan debate with subtle Bryson DeChambeau dig after Masters round

Rory McIlroy has sparked debate among golf fans after his third round comments at The Masters.

McIlroy entered Saturday at Augusta National holding a record 36-hole lead of six shots, but a disappointing one-over 73 saw his advantage slip. He now shares the 54-hole lead on 11-under par with Cameron Young, who surged into contention with a superb 65.

Burns, meanwhile, quietly impressed with a 68 to reach 10-under-par, leaving him just one shot behind the leaders heading into the final round.

While Burns and Young are both chasing a maiden major title, McIlroy is targeting his sixth — and a place in history. A win on Sunday would see him join Jack Nicklaus (1966), Nick Faldo (1990) and Tiger Woods (2002) as the only players to successfully defend the Green Jacket.

However, much of the post-round conversation centred on McIlroy’s remarks rather than the leaderboard.

When asked how this year’s final round compares to previous opportunities, the 36-year-old Northern Irishman suggested he intends to play with greater freedom, referencing the fact he already owns a Green Jacket from 2025. 

That particular comment drew mixed reactions online, with some fans branding it overly confident and a little arrogant. 

More notably, eyebrows were raised when the five-time major champion discussed his upcoming final-round pairing with Young — and appeared to contrast it with last year's final-round pairing alongside LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau.

McIlroy and DeChambeau openly admitted tension in their final-round tussle at the 2025 Masters. 

They had a disagreement on the ninth green, but otherwise there was no talk during the round. 

McIlroy got the better of DeChambeau as he went on to become the sixth player in history to achieve golf immortality and complete the career grand slam. 

The general atmosphere should be a little different in the final round this time, at least in the eyes of McIlroy who gets on well with Young. 

“I think the stakes in terms of the pairing will be just a little bit easier,” McIlroy said after his third-round 73. 

“The atmosphere out there will be a little bit easier. I’m comfortable — I played with Cam the first two days. Playing with him again, I think it’s a comfortable group for both of us.”

Watch what McIlroy said here: 

The final round of The Masters is shaping up to be a tightly contested battle, something that did not look likely entering the weekend. 

McIlroy remains the bookmakers’ favourite (11/8), narrowly ahead of Young (9/4), with Burns (13/2) still firmly in contention too. 

But the chasing pack is stacked with experience, including Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Jason Day and world number one Scottie Scheffler — ensuring Sunday at Augusta could deliver a dramatic finish.

Check out all the latest Masters odds ahead of the final round.