The 2025 Masters turned on a lot of moments, and Rory McIlroy thinks one of them came earlier than most people and golf fans realized.

On a recent episode of The Shotgun Start podcast, the reigning Masters champion revisited the final round at Augusta National. More specifically, he talked about the third hole, where he watched Bryson DeChambeau pull an iron instead of a driver. 

McIlroy had started the day with a double-bogey on the first hole, but Bryson DeChambeau was one shot clear, and the third hole was where that changed. "I could not believe that Bryson laid up," the 36-year-old said.

McIlroy added, "I felt like even though it was early in the round, if he were to take driver out there and hit it on the green, it really is like taking the tournament by the scruff of the neck."

DeChambeau had three-putted while McIlroy only made his three. Two shots exchanged, just like that. "I just thought that was such a huge moment," McIlroy said. "If I don't have those two holes after such a rough start, probably don't go on to win."

The greens were firm that Sunday, and McIlroy's thinking was straightforward; getting a wedge close was already difficult. Driver, in his view, was the play.

DeChambeau had been playing it safe to left pins all week, and on that day, in those conditions, McIlroy just couldn’t understand why.

The Moment Rory McIlroy Held His Ground Changed the Entire Final Round

Rory McIlroy wasn’t going to let Bryson DeChambeau get into his head, especially in the final round of the Masters.

When both players reached the green and couldn’t decide who should putt first, DeChambeau suggested flipping a tee to decide. But McIlroy said no. "This is the final round of the Masters. This isn't some game on a Tuesday afternoon somewhere."

He asked for a referee to measure instead, but DeChambeau backed down. “No, no, it’s fine. You can go anyway. I don’t care.” McIlroy stepped up and made the birdie putt. DeChambeau, now feeling the pressure, couldn’t respond.

Reflecting upon the incident, McIlroy later said, "I was proud of myself for holding my ground. I just felt like that was a really big moment."

He walked onto the back nine with a three-shot lead and stayed in control from there. Then he went on to beat Justin Rose in a playoff on the 18th hole and finally completed his career Grand Slam. Now, Rory McIlroy returns on April 9, 2026, to defend his title, and that third hole will still be there.

Do you think Bryson DeChambeau's backing down at that crucial moment cost him the 2025 Masters?

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Souvik Roy