Rory McIlroy shared the unusual mental tactic he used during the Masters final round to secure his long-awaited victory.
During the final round of the Masters, many noticed Rory McIlroy’s complete lack of interaction with his playing partner Bryson DeChambeau. No words, no eye contact—just silence. What seemed odd at the time, even to DeChambeau himself, was actually a deliberate mental strategy, as McIlroy recently revealed on a podcast.
Heading into the final round with a two-shot lead, McIlroy faced immense pressure. He was chasing his first Major win since 2014 and the elusive career Grand Slam. Complicating matters, he was paired with DeChambeau—a fan favorite and the man who had beaten him at the previous year’s U.S. Open.
Advice from Bob Rotella shaped McIlroy’s approach
To prepare mentally, McIlroy turned to renowned sports psychologist Bob Rotella. Though confident in his game, McIlroy was concerned about the dynamic with DeChambeau and the crowd’s support for him. “I felt it would be the toughest to go up against Bryson and the way we approach the game so differently,” McIlroy said.
Rotella’s advice was clear: block DeChambeau out. No talking, no looking, no reacting. McIlroy was to immerse himself in his own world, focusing solely on his caddie Harry Diamond and his own performance—a mental tunnel with one goal.
Early struggles, key birdies
The plan was tested early. McIlroy stumbled out of the gate, losing his lead and briefly falling behind. But in that critical stretch, he turned things around. While DeChambeau bogeyed key holes, McIlroy sank clutch birdies to regain control.
Looking back, McIlroy believes that stretch was decisive. He couldn’t understand some of DeChambeau’s decisions, but once he managed to suppress his concerns about his opponent, his focus shifted inward. “From that point on, I was only in my own way,” he recalled. The biggest challenge became staying present and composed. His toughest opponent: himself.
Though DeChambeau faded, McIlroy still had to outlast Justin Rose in a playoff, where he showcased nerves of steel to clinch the Green Jacket.
DeChambeau later admitted he was puzzled by McIlroy’s behavior: “He didn’t say a word to me today.”
McIlroy, however, has no regrets. In fact, he hopes to feel that same intensity again someday—because it means he’s playing for something truly meaningful.
Perseverance personified.
Wearing his Green Jacket, Rory McIlroy reflected on his journey to becoming a Masters champion. #themasters