Bryson DeChambeau put Rory McIlroy in his place with ruthless comment to his face

has already struck a psychological blow to as the pair prepare for a final-round showdown at the Masters. McIlroy leads on 12 under par, but his rival is just two behind after a storming finish to his third round on Saturday night.

The star birdied three of the final four holes to leave the battle on his knife-edge. He holed from 50 feet on the 18th in an exhilarating finish and duly pumped up the crowd with his theatrical reaction. The scenario echoes the 2024 US Open, where the two stars were involved in a dramatic finish at Pinehurst Resort.

Having appeared odds-on for victory, to give DeChambeau a chance. The American duly sealed a second major title by holding out for par on the 18th, and the pair have since jibed about the outcome.

In December, McIlroy and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler teamed up for a one-off match against DeChambeau and his LIV colleague Brooks Kopeka.

During the build-up to that clash in Las Vegas, dubbed 'The 2024 Showdown', the players found themselves side-by-side on the practice range. McIlroy was asked what motivated him ahead of the challenge, and his answer inadvertently exposed his US Open pain.

"I'd like to go up against Bryson to get him back for what he did to me at the US Open," he said. DeChambeau wasn't about to let him off the hook, though, replying: "You kind of did it to yourself."

Footage of that exchange has resurfaced ahead of tonight's fourth round at Augusta. The two players will tee off at 7.10pm, with both craving a maiden green jacket.

And DeChambeau is seemingly relishing the chance to scupper McIlroy again, saying: "It's always important in a major championship to try and be in the final group or close to the final group. It was definitely fun knowing that it was Rory and knowing that we could have a good matchup."