Rory McIlroy ready for final day Masters showdown with Bryson DeChambeau

Rory McIlroy is determined to keep his focus on the game rather than on rival Bryson DeChambeau as they head into the final round of the Masters neck and neck.

Keeping to his personal tactics, the Northern Irishman is set to dive into his "little bubble" with inspirational "cliché mantras" tucked away in his yardage book.

The world No. 2 player shot a spectacular second straight 66 on Saturday to get a four-shot cushion ahead only for the American golfer to narrow that gap to just two strokes after sinking three late birdies, including an impressive 16-yard putt at the last hole.

But the four-time Major winner said: "I think the big thing is to not make it a re-match. Stay in my own little world. Stay in my cocoon, in my little bubble. Keep my head down. I have to put myself in my own world and concentrate on myself and set myself a score. If I can set myself a target and achieve it, hopefully that will be enough."

"He will do what he does - I have to stay firm and stay in my own little bubble. I have a few little notes written in the back of my yardage book that I glance at every now and again while I'm walking the fairway. Just little reminders. Little, you know, one- or two-sentence things. I mean, all the cliché mantras that you've heard before, really."

It will also be Europe against the USA in Ryder Cup year but the Irishman is also a huge fan favourite in America.

"It's amazing to have the support," said McIlroy. "These patrons and these galleries are a pleasure to play in front of, each and every year we come back. They are some of the most knowledgeable golf patrons or spectators that we play in front of."

"It's a pleasure to play in front of them and to have that atmosphere and that support. Tomorrow in that final group is going to be a little rowdy and a little loud. I'm just going to have to settle in and really try to keep myself in my own little bubble and keep my head down and approach tomorrow with the same attitude that I have tried to approach the last three days with."

McIlroy planned to watch another episode of Bridgerton to relax on Saturday night - and also talk to his sports psychologist Bob Rotella before his final round.

"The message going into today was just keep doing the same thing," he said. "We've had the chats - there's nothing new here."

"I've talked about trying to chase a feeling out there, you know, if I can have that feeling. And if I can go home tonight and look in the mirror before I go to bed and be like: 'That's the way I want to feel when I play golf', that, to me, is a victory."

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