Golf: Rory McIlroy leads the Masters; closes in on career Grand Slam

McIlroy sets up a final round showdown with DeChambea as the Northern Irishman seeks an elusive first Green Jacket and career Grand Slam in golf.

Rory McIlroy has stormed to the top of the Masters leaderboard with an electrifying third round that included two eagles to finish two shots ahead of Bryson DeChambeau and on the doorstep of winning the elusive career Grand Slam in golf.

To reach the promised land of a career Grand Slam, McIlroy will have to get past the big-hitting American who delivered some late fireworks on Saturday to set up a high-profile final-round showdown that will be a rematch of their battle at last year’s US Open.

DeChambeau, who took advantage of a late collapse by McIlroy to win last year’s title, earned a spot in Sunday’s final pairing at Augusta when he drained a monstrous 48-foot birdie putt from off the green at the closing par-four 18th.

It will be just the fourth time in the last 30 years that the final pairing of a major will feature two multiple major champions.

“It will be the grandest stage that we’ve had in a long time, and I’m excited for it,” DeChambeau said after a three-under-par 69 brought him to 10 under on the week and two shots back of McIlroy.

The pairing presents McIlroy with the opportunity to get revenge against the American, who handed him a gut-wrenching loss at last year’s US Open, but McIlroy said he prefers not to think of it that way.

“The big thing is not to make it a rematch and just stay in my own little world,” said McIlroy, who shot a six-under 66 on Saturday and is 12-under par for the tournament.

McIlroy looked focused as he walked to the clubhouse after tapping in for par on 18, knowing that in 24 hours, he could be sliding on a Green Jacket and finally ending an 11-year hunt to win all four of golf’s major championships.

“Tomorrow in that final group is going to be a little rowdy and a little loud,” he said.