Skip to content

Reed-McIlroy duel will take center stage for Masters final round

Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters Picture Supplied by Action Images

With two birdies in his last four holes Saturday en route to a 7-under 65, Rory McIlroy ensured he would be in the last group alongside leader Patrick Reed.

For those in need of a refresher on why that will be a spectacle, here's a clip from an epic singles match between the two at the 2016 Ryder Cup.

Arguably the most emotionally-charged match in the history of the event ended with Reed the 1-up winner and the Americans claiming the ultimate prize. It cemented the 27-year old's status as "Captain America" and ensured his name would forever be told in Ryder Cup lore.

While Reed's success in match-play is almost unprecedented, his overall resume pales in comparison to McIlroy's. The 28-year-old Northern Irishman has four major championships while Reed only has one career top-10 in any of golf's four biggest events.

A win Sunday would make McIlroy just the sixth-player in the Masters-era to complete the career Grand Slam, while Reed would have his sixth PGA Tour victory and by far his most important.

None of that will matter once the first ball is in the air.

"All the pressure's on him tomorrow," McIlroy said on the CBS broadcast after the round. "He went to Augusta State, he's got a lot of support here. I'm hoping to come in and spoil the party."

Reed had yet to hear McIlroy's comments when asked for his thoughts on the rematch shortly after his round.

"Really excited," he said on the broadcast. "Every time we play with each other we seem to have a lot of fun, and we seem to both play some solid golf. So, hopefully we can get some fireworks out there and have a fun Sunday."

Sunday at The Masters routinely ranks as the top-rated golf broadcast: it's the most prestigious tournament in the world played on the most revered course worldwide.

Tomorrow, it will also feature arguably the greatest current rivalry in the game as the final pairing.

Buckle up.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox