Rory, Bryson chase Masters glory through different paths

Bryson DeChambeau, who provided Indian golf fans an exciting start to the year with his visit to the country, and Rory McIlroy, who is set to make his first visit there in October, used very different routes to set up an action-packed weekend at the 89th Masters Tournament.

- Joy Chakravarty

DeChambeau shot a four-under-par 68 to get to within one shot of the 36-hole leader Justin Rose (8-under), while McIlroy made up for his heartbreaking finish on Thursday with a bogey-free Friday outing of six-under par 66 to dramatically move to tied third with Canada's Corey Conners at 6-under.

The paths of the two very popular golfers had crossed last year as well when DeChambeau nicked the US Open trophy from under McIlroy's nose with a stunning bunker shot on the final hole. Moments earlier, the Northern Irish world No. 2 had missed a short putt that would have given him a chance for a playoff with the LIV Golf star.