The Masters 2026: Bryson DeChambeau trending for Augusta National but did he help Rory McIlroy to Grand Slam glory?

Bryson DeChambeau arrives as the form player trying to deny Rory McIlroy a successful title defense at The Masters, having ‘helped’ the Northern Irishman close out Grand Slam glory last year. DeChambeau has won his last two LIV Golf League starts and is among the favorites to challenge for a third major title this week, 12 months on from losing a final-round duel with McIlroy at Augusta National.

McIlroy had blown a two-shot lead on the first hole of a roller-coaster Sunday, where DeChambeau briefly moved top of the leaderboard before fading to a tied-fifth finish after a final-round 75.

DeChambeau snatched US Open victory from McIlroy at Pinehurst No 2 the previous June and mocked the Northern Irishman’s final-round collapse ahead of ‘The Match’ showdown later that year, saying: “You kind of did it [collapse] to yourself.” McIlroy responded by ending his 11-year wait for an elusive fifth major title at The Masters, where he played alongside the American on the final day, with former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believing their rivalry was a positive factor in closing out Grand Slam success.

“There’s no doubt that playing with Bryson [DeChambeau] in the last round last year helped them more than hurt him,” McGinley said in a media call ahead of The Masters, live from Thursday on Sky Sports Golf.

“If he could bring that intensity to every tournament he played, he would be Tiger Woods, but that’s not Rory and has never been Rory. He doesn’t have that ability to bring that to the table every single time. When he does, it makes him incredibly charismatic and it makes him very dangerous as a golfer. When he turns up with the right mindset, we all know that he’s got the talent.”

DeChambeau said after last year’s final round that the world No 2 “didn’t talk to me once all day,” although McIlroy has since dismissed that remark and claimed the American suggested they ‘throw a tee up’ to decide who played first on the par-four ninth green.

“I just felt like that was a really big moment. I was proud of myself for holding my ground.”

Is DeChambeau ‘trending’ toward big week? DeChambeau has posted top-10 finishes in six of his last eight majors, ending runner-up in successive editions of the PGA Championship and finishing no worse than sixth in his last two starts at Augusta National.

“The most shocking moments from Masters history, including Jordan Spieth’s collapse on the 12th hole and an injury-plagued Tiger Woods being tackled by security”

“I think he’s trending towards it [major victory],” McGinley added. “If you look at Bryson’s performances in major championships in the last two or three years, as much as he’s had success, his iron play has been pretty poor.

“His chipping and his putting in particular were brilliant last year and his driving is always good, but he has got to be better with his irons if he’s going to win. That’s the differentiating factor around there.”

McIlroy arrives looking to become just the fourth player ever – and first since Tiger Woods – to successfully defend the Green Jacket, although was forced to withdraw through injury at last month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational and then struggled during his title defense at The Players.

“I think it [McIlroy’s game] is off, to be honest,” McGinley admitted. “I don’t think he’s primed the way he was this time last year, coming off wins at The Players and Pebble Beach.”