Bryson DeChambeau is relishing the opportunity to renew his rivalry with Rory McIlroy at The Masters, having taken a 'great learning lesson' from last year’s final-round disappointment.
DeChambeau is among the favourites to challenge for a third major title at Augusta National, having posted top-six finishes the past two years, with the American coming into the event with back-to-back LIV Golf League victories.
The two-time US Open champion went into last year's final round in the final group with McIlroy and briefly led during an eventful Sunday, only to end tied fifth - after a three-over 75 - as his playing partner claimed the victory required to complete the career Grand Slam.
DeChambeau previously claimed McIlroy 'did not talk to him' during their final-round duel, a suggestion the Northern Irishman quashed during a new documentary ahead of this year's contest, although he would enjoy the opportunity to go head-to-head again.
"It's great if we can continue to have a rivalry," DeChambeau said in his pre-tournament press conference. "I don't see any problem with that. If anything, it kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf.
"Do I respect him as an individual? 100 per cent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely, there's no question about it.
"I think that's what's so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him.
"It's one of those things - like I got him at Pinehurst [No 2, 2024 US Open], he got me here [2025 Masters]. I hope there's more of those to come because it's great for the game."
DeChambeau went into the final round two strokes behind McIlroy but found himself one ahead two holes later, as he made a par-birdie start after watching his playing partner double-bogey the opening hole.
He immediately slipped back with back-to-back bogeys and never recovered, dropping three more shots across two holes of Amen Corner and eventually ending four strokes behind McIlroy.
"It [losing] was a great learning lesson," DeChambeau added. "Leading or being tied for the lead and having the lead, that last group final round, gave me a lot of perspective on it.
"Then losing it and having things not go my way as they finished out and Rory completed the grand slam. Last year he earned it, right? It was really cool to see in person.
"As I reflect back on it, the one thing I can take from it is that I can put myself in those positions. The more I put myself in those positions, the better opportunities I'm going to have to win.
"It's just been a gradual learning process. You never know what this week may bring, but I certainly hope to give it my all and put myself back in that position because I want to feel it again."
On his form heading into this week, DeChambeau said: "Obviously I'm playing well and I feel like my game's in the best place of its career, outside of maybe Greenbrier [LIV Golf League event] when I shot 58.
"Outside of that, I'm excited to get the week going and see where I can put myself."
DeChambeau arrives as the form player trying to deny McIlroy a successful title defence at The Masters, with former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believing he 'helped' the Northern Irishman complete the Grand Slam last April.
"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 Your Site Golf.
"The reason it helped them was Bryson belittled them six months previously, when they did that made-for-TV event out in the desert. He [DeChambeau] made a smart comment about Rory messing up at the US Open in order for Bryson to win.
"That was logged and that's the kind of stuff that drives Rory into focus, which is what he did in terms of winning the Grand Slam. Bryson really did him a favour because he forced him into focus - he p***** him off and got him [McIlroy] in the mindset he needs to get in."
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