Bryson DeChambeau believes his rivalry with Masters champion Rory McIlroy is good for the game of golf, as he gears up for a bid to snatch the Northern Irishman's Augusta crown.

McIlroy completed the Career Grand Slam at Augusta National last year, defeating Justin Rose in a play-off after appearing to have thrown the title away in the final round.

That was McIlroy's first major crown in over a decade and saw him join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to have won all four of golf's biggest honours – and the only European.

But things could have worked out very differently, as DeChambeau was also in the mix, overhauling a two-shot deficit to lead the way early in the final round.

The American was only the green jacket frontrunner for a fleeting moment as a final round of 75 saw him drop to T5th, with his playing partner McIlroy getting it done in nerve-wrecking fashion.

DeChambeau subsequently claimed McIlroy refused to speak to him during that final round, and there were also tensions between the pair at last year's Ryder Cup, as McIlroy used a European flag to cover up his rival's name amid the post-tournament celebrations.

But DeChambeau, who beat McIlroy by a single shot to win his second U.S. Open title in 2024, hopes to go head-to-head with him again this year. 

"It's great if we can continue to have a rivalry," DeChambeau said. "I don't see any problem with that. If anything, it helps to create more buzz around the game of golf.

"Do I respect him as an individual? 100%. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely, there's no question about it.

"I think that's what's so brilliant about the game of golf is that juxtaposition, having that sportsmanlike respect and then wanting to just absolutely beat the living you know what out of him.

"It's one of those things – I got him at Pinehurst, he got me here. I hope there's more of those to come because it's great for the game."

Bryson DeChambeau takes the alternative route on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/nHQqIde7Kj

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2026

Reflecting on last year's final-round collapse, DeChambeau added: "It was a great learning lesson. Leading or being tied for the lead in that last group final round, gave me a lot of perspective on it.

"Then losing it and having things not go my way as Rory completed the Grand Slam. Last year, he earned it, right? It was really cool to see in person.

"As I reflect on it, the one thing I can take is that I can put myself in those positions. The more I put myself in those positions, the better opportunities I'm going to have to win."

DeChambeau's last two appearances at the Masters have seen him finish T6th and T5th. Previously, he had never finished inside the Top 20 at Augusta.

McIlroy, meanwhile, could become the first golfer to win back-to-back editions of the Masters since Woods (2001-2002); with Nicklaus (1965-1966) and Nick Faldo (1989-1990) the only other players to accomplish that feat.