Sunday’s Masters showdown is a Reed vs. McIlroy Ryder Cup rematch

The 82nd Masters Tournament comes down to a rematch of Ryder Cup rivals, each with career defining moments on the line at Augusta National.

As the gates open to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National on Sunday, sitting atop the leaderboard are two men. Seemingly a two horse race to start the day, the final round of The Masters begins with USA’s “Captain America” Patrick Reed in the lead at 14-under par. Within striking distance at 11-under is Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.

This won’t be the first time Reed and McIlroy have gone toe to toe at the top. A year and a half ago at Hazeltine National Golf Club, the two battled it out in the 2016 Ryder Cup. The Sunday match play pairing of Reed and McIlroy brought fireworks from the opening hole. With national pride on the line both competitors traded big shots over the opening holes.

McIlroy earned the early advantage with a birdie at par-5 3rd hole but Reed answered at the 5th to get the match back to all square. As the two continued to trade blows the emotion poured over at the 8th where McIlroy drained an 80-foot putt that silenced the crowd. Not to be outdone, Reed immediately fired back with a 20-foot putt from just off the green that brought the crowd back to their feet in one of the most iconic moments in Ryder Cup history.

That day Reed would go on to win the match by one hole and became a pivotal force behind the United States victory in 2016. Sunday at the 2018 Masters Reed will start with a commanding lead that he should feel anything but safe holding. His previous best at Augusta was tied for 22nd in 2015.

Reed will be looking for his first major, his first Masters and the first man to make Masters history by shooting all four days of the storied tournament in the 60s. Speaking with CBS Saturday after his round Reed was seemingly aware of the stakes headed into Sunday:

"I mean, I woke up this morning, felt fine. Didn’t feel any pressure. Just came out and tried to play some golf. And I believe that’s how it’s going to be tomorrow. Wake up and just come out and play golf and whatever happens, happens. I’m not going to be there focusing on Rory or really focusing on any of those guys. I’m just going to go out and try to play the golf course and try to play some good golf."

Come Sunday, McIlroy isn’t just battling to catch Reed, he is also battling his own ghosts of past Masters chances. In 2011, McIlroy was seemingly in cruise control at Augusta, garnering at least a share of the lead over the first three rounds. Unfortunately, a final round 80 crushed any hopes of the Irishman’s hopes of a green jacket.

Over the past four years, McIlroy has finished top ten at The Masters but has yet to secure the victory. A victory that would cap off the career Grand Slam for McIlroy putting him in an elite class of golf’s legends of the game. Heading into the final pairing McIlroy was confident in speaking with ESPN that Reed should be the nervous one Sunday.

“I feel like all the pressure is on him,” McIlroy said. “He’s got to go out and protect that, and he’s got a few guys chasing him that are pretty big-time players. He’s got that to deal with and sleep on tonight.”

Next: Top 10 shots in the history of The Masters

If Sunday at Augusta is anything like Hazeltine, one thing is for sure: The fans are in for a treat. Reed and McIlroy will pull out on the stops to get fitted for their first green jacket come Sunday evening. With both main event players willing to do whatever it takes it is sure to leave plenty of highlights for the world of golf to replay until next year’s Masters.

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