AUGUSTA, Ga. – When you’re out on the golf course at Augusta National, there are only two things that really tell the story. No phones, of course. No real connection to anything except what’s in front of you. You can see things — depending on who you are following — but really, you feel it.
On Saturday, Rory McIlroy gave patrons and even those at home the kind of buzz that perhaps hadn’t been felt around these parts since Tiger Woods in 2019. As McIlroy’s opening-nine score kept getting posted around the big boards of Augusta National’s hallowed grounds, there was a very distinct phrase that was first, uttered, and then, almost shouted.
“Holy (smokes),” said many-a-patron.
McIlroy fired his second straight round of 66 at the Masters and now holds a two-shot advantage heading into Sunday’s finale, where he will be paired with Bryson DeChambeau in the final group. McIlroy opened birdie-eagle-birdie on Augusta National’s first three holes and would go on to become the first golfer in history to notch six straight 3s on his scorecard.
“It was such a great way to start, and you know, just to come out of the blocks like that,” McIlroy said. “From finishing yesterday afternoon to teeing off today, it's quite a long time. There's a lot of anticipation and sort of anxious energy that builds up. You just want to get out there and play.”
“Obviously it was a dream start to get off to the start that I did.”
Like a heavyweight title fight, DeChambeau and McIlroy are the two biggest names in the sport. McIlroy, the global superstar. Whip smart, inspiring, and human — a fabulous trait to have in a sporting hero. Of course, he’s also been star-crossed at this place, trying for the 11th time to win the career grand slam. He’s been close before, but not this close.
“I'm glad I have a short memory,” McIlroy said.
DeChambeau, meanwhile, is the game’s new-generation superstar. His YouTube page boasts nearly 2 million followers. He won last year’s U.S. Open and now, at 10 under, is just two back of adding a Green Jacket to his closet thanks to his booming drives (he’s averaging 330 yards off the tee this week, first by six yards over McIlroy). But he’s also tops in average putts per hole.
The two also had a tit-for-tat duel at last year’s U.S. Open, with McIlroy missing a few short putts late and DeChambeau coming out on top.
“It was definitely fun knowing that it was Rory (in the final pairing) and knowing that we could have a good matchup tomorrow,” said DeChambeau, who is the only golfer this week to break 70 in each of his three rounds after a Saturday 69.
“We're not the only players out there. There's still a lot of great players. But it's going to be a fun test."
One of those players is Canadian Corey Conners, who will be in the penultimate pairing for the second day in a row. He’ll be grouped Sunday with 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed.
Conners, who is just the third Canadian in history to be in the top three on the leaderboard at the Masters after 54 holes, fired his second straight round of 70. He sits in third alone at 8 under.
“I've got a lot of faith in my game. What the other guys do is kind of out of my control, but I'm going to have to go and play a really good round of golf tomorrow,” Conners said.
Conners had a front-row seat to McIlroy’s magic on Saturday and deserves all of the heaping kudos. That start from McIlroy was not on anyone’s bingo card. Conners was, through the fifth hole, six back of the lead. He took a few haymakers, but then all of a sudden, he was just one back heading into Amen Corner.
“It was a pretty amazing start Rory had today. But just stuck to my game plan. I felt like I did a good job of just doing my thing. I knew I'd get my opportunities and try and capitalize when I did give myself those opportunities,” Conners said.
With a laugh, Conners’ caddie Danny Sahl said it was a nice day with the crowds because “Rory” and “Corey” sound so similar — it felt like the Canadian was getting a few more cheers out there.
“Rory is a world-class player and a lot of people cheering him on. Certainly, a lot of people were cheering me on, as well. Felt great to be in that type of atmosphere,” Conners said. “It's fun, great place to be, and it was a fun day.”
So, as per usual, the Masters is set to deliver in a big way come Sunday. In fact, each of the last eight Masters champions have come from the final pairing.
We’ve got history on the line, with McIlroy in the mix, and the game’s brightest star breathing down his neck. A Canadian, too, with his own chance at history – two decades after his golfing hero donned the Green Jacket.
How do you know it’s the final round of the Masters?
You just listen to the roars.
“It will be the grandest stage that we've had in a long time,” DeChambeau said, “and I’m excited for it.”
CHIP SHOTS
Conners’ twin sister, Nicole Conners, had an eventful Saturday at Augusta National. Nicole is a doctor and saw an elder lady fall down on No. 6 and break her ankle. Dr. Conners then had to set the patient’s ankle until paramedics arrived… The other Canadian to make the cut, Nick Taylor, shot a 2-over 74 and is T37 through three rounds… McIlroy’s 6-under was tied for the low round of the day with 2007 champ Zach Johnson, whose 6-under 66 was a Masters career low. An impressive effort for the 49-year-old… Spotted at Augusta National Saturday included football star Michael Strahan, New York Yankees legend Jorge Posada, musician Naill Horan and two-time Super Bowl member Eli Manning, who was donning a member’s-only green jacket.
