The final round of the tournament commenced with a dramatic twist as Rory McIlroy swiftly relinquished his two-shot lead due to a double bogey on the first hole, while Bryson DeChambeau managed to play it safe with a par.
Both competitors faced difficulties right from the tee. McIlroy found himself in the fairway bunker on the right, while DeChambeau’s 3-wood veered left into the pine trees. Struggling to get back on track, DeChambeau executed a punch shot to advance his ball just short of the green, while McIlroy’s drive landed awkwardly beside the bunker, forcing him to play a punch shot down the fairway.
On his third stroke, McIlroy reached the back of the green, however, DeChambeau’s chip was notably better, landing close to the hole. Unfortunately for McIlroy, his putt not only missed but rolled past the hole to the extent that it went beyond DeChambeau’s marker. When he attempted to sink the return putt, he failed again, inadvertently allowing DeChambeau a clear view of the line. Capitalising on this opening, the American confidently rolled in his putt, bringing both players back to level terms.
Currently, both McIlroy and DeChambeau sit three strokes ahead of their closest challengers, which include Ludvig Åberg, Corey Connors, and Justin Rose, all of whom are tied at 7-under par. The tension is palpable as the final round unfolds, with both leaders aiming to regain their composure and secure a win.