Augusta, GA – History awaits Rory McIlroy.
The Career Grand Slam sits an appetite 18 holes away.
Before 3pm on Sunday, McIlroy has a chance to stand on the first tee with the final pairing at Augusta National on the cliffs of history and become the sixth player to win all four major championships.
He won two PGA championships. One is the US Open and one UK Open.
Master was an elusive person like the girl you have been rejecting for years.
This week is McIlroy's 11th attempt to complete a career slam by earning his first master. His last major championship took place in 2014.
Now, after aggressively electric third round 66, McIlroy got a chance to get a two-shot lead in the final round and stamp his name in history.
He has the opportunity to seduce some demons in Augusta, which has been a place of more heartbreak than exhilarating for him at the start of this week's 16th.
Sunday is when McIlroy first entered the final round of the major championship with the lead since he won the PGA, the last major in 2014.
To get it done and make history beyond that line, McIlroy must overcome his own nerves and scar tissue, and Bryson Deccanbaugh, who birded three of the last four holes on Saturday.
McIlroy is 12 under. The decanbo is 10 under. Corey Connors in Canada is 8 under. Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg are one of four players with 6 under defending champion Scottie Scheffler at 5 under.
It all set the final round of absolute dreams against Dedanbaugh, the player who defeated him in the final round of the US Open last year, destroying McIlroy, and bolted the bolt after refusing to speak to the reporter from Pinehurst.
That too is the best showdown between the best PGA Tour and its rival, Liv Golf.
Delicious, every bite of it.
“It's going to be the most epic stage we've had in a long time, and I'm really excited about it,” Deccanbeau said. That's going to be electricity there.”
It's hard to pack a more epic storyline into one final round than what you're waiting for on Sunday.
“It was fun… why is your dream made of?” Deccanbeau said.
No one could do golf.
Where do you start with McIlroy's Saturday sparkle?
“It was a great day and it clearly puts me in a great position,” McIlroy said.
Do day one birdie, second chip-in-eagle, third birdie and fifth birdie start 5 under on the first five holes?
There are six consecutive 3 on his cards to start the round. Has anyone done it before in the 89-year history of Masters?
Master's third round. Getty Images
Or will he reach 12 under on the par 5 15th hole and get a 4-shot lead on three holes to play in the round?
This was undoubtedly one of the most hair-raising golfers I've played in a legendary theater with perfectly well-maintained greenery.
“The dream begins,” McIlroy said.
How will McIlroy handle it on Sunday? Is it a major 11-year drought, a history tracing, a showdown with DeChambeau?
“The big thing isn't about staying in your own little world, it's not about making it a match,” McIlroy said. I need to do what I'm doing and surround myself with my coco.
“[DeChambeau] I do what he does and I just need to stay firmly.”
What makes McIlroy even more impressive and remarkable for now is the unfolding at the end of his opening round.
McIlroy was on par 5 15th hole with a 4-under par, proceeding to double bogey 15, then double bogey No. 17, melting those four strokes and heading home with equally even rounds.
The finish left him with seven shots behind first-round leader Justin Rose.
McIlroy then came alive and appeared on Friday with a clear mind, charging a 6-under par 66 and quickly returned to the competition.
He started his third three shot behind Rose, and after four holes he had a two-shot lead.
Another factor that McIlroy should consider when tees it on Sunday is 2011.
Yes, that was a long time ago, but that was when McIlroy entered the final round with a 12-under and a four-stroke lead. He had a lead or lead share after each of the first three rounds, but shot 80 on Sunday and finished 15th.
McIlroy cried as he got off the course that day.
Do you see tears of joy from him this Sunday evening?
