2023 WGC-Dell Match Play Final Round Showdown Preview: McIlroy vs. DeChambeau
Rory McIlroy faces a three-stroke deficit against Bryson DeChambeau in the final round of the 2023 WGC-Dell Match Play. Follow the intense showdown between the two golf stars as they battle it out for victory. Don’t miss the exciting conclusion of this thrilling tournament!
Golf Enthusiasts Eagerly Await Final Round Showdown at 2023 WGC-Dell Match Play
Rory McIlroy will have to overcome a three-stroke deficit to end his major drought after a stunning performance from Bryson DeChambeau at the 2023 WGC-Dell Match Play tournament in Austin, Texas. DeChambeau’s third-round 67 propelled him to a seven-under-par total, securing his first 54-hole lead in a major championship.
“It’s a grind. The U.S. Open feels like you play two tournaments in one week.”
- Rory McIlroy
Despite a double-bogey on the 16th hole, DeChambeau immediately responded with a birdie on the next hole, showcasing his impressive form in this year’s majors. The 2020 U.S. Open champion finished sixth at the Masters and became the first player to shoot 20-under-par in a major without lifting the trophy at the U.S. PGA Championship.
Leaderboard Tightens as Competition Intensifies
- McIlroy’s third-round 69 earned him a share of second place alongside France’s Matthieu Pavon and American Patrick Cantlay, both at four-under-par.
- Halfway leader Ludvig Aberg and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama sit two shots further back.
Pavon set the early pace with a front-nine 32, but DeChambeau’s birdies on the fifth, seventh, and 10th holes propelled him to the top of the leaderboard. The 30-year-old American appeared unfazed by the pressure, even joking with spectators and signing autographs throughout the round.
McIlroy’s challenge was boosted by birdies on the 12th and 14th holes, but he was unable to find a closing birdie to join DeChambeau in the final group on Sunday. The four-time major champion acknowledged the mental grind of the U.S. Open, stating, “It’s a grind. The U.S. Open feels like you play two tournaments in one week.”
The final round promises an intriguing showdown between McIlroy and Cantlay, who were involved in a heated exchange during the Ryder Cup. Golf enthusiasts eagerly await the conclusion of the 2023 WGC-Dell Match Play, where the winner will be crowned.
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