Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth go head-to-head at the Masters

By Keith Jackson & Ali Stafford

Image: This week's event is the second time this year that Spieth and McIlroy have been grouped together

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth will once again go head-to-head on Saturday when the pair feature in the final group at the third round of the Masters.

Last year's Race to Dubai champion heads in to the weekend at Augusta just one off the pace after an impressive one-under 71 in windy conditions on Friday, with Spieth clinging on to his one-shot advantage despite a second-round 74.

McIlroy has already set his sights on returning back to the top of the world rankings and completing golf's Grand Slam, while Spieth is looking to join an elite group of consecutive Masters champions.

Masters D2 report

Rory McIlroy just one behind halfway leader Jordan Spieth at the Masters

With the pair looking to start produce their best and put themselves in contention of major victory, we take a look at how the two have fared when paired together in the past…

Valero Texas Open 2013

Advertisement
Image: Spieth missed the cut when the pair first went head-to-head in a PGA Tour event

McIlroy had already won two major titles in his career when he was coupled with Spieth for the first time in 2013. Spieth, just months into his professional career, did outscore the Northern Irishman in the first round but went off the boil in the second, eventually missing the cut with a four-over par 76. McIlroy scored impressively across the weekend and was only denied victory by Martin Laird’s spectacular 63 on the final day.

Masters 2014

Also See:

Image: Spieth had to settle for a share of second at Augusta

It was a different story one year later as rounds of 71 and 70 put Spieth right in the mix at Augusta. McIlroy, however, shot 77 on day two to narrowly make the cut on the mark at four over, ending the tournament tied-eighth at level par, five shots behind Spieth who finished tied-second behind winner Bubba Watson.

The Open 2014

Image: McIlroy won his third major at the Open in 2014

They may have played together, but there can be no comparing the players’ performances at Royal Liverpool. Spieth made the cut with scores of 71 and 75 but finished an incredible 14 strokes adrift of McIlroy, who shot 66 on Thursday and Friday to take command of the tournament on his way to a third major title.

Players Championship 2015

Spieth’s Masters win a month earlier intensified the rivalry between the players, but their meeting at Sawgrass failed to live up to expectations. Spieth managed to miss the cut with scores of 75 and 72, while McIlroy fired his way to a top-10 finish.

PGA Championship 2015

Image: McIlroy finished 17th in the final major of the year

Featuring in the marquee group alongside Open winner Zach Johnson, there was nothing to separate the world's top-two on Thursday as Spieth and McIlroy made their way round in 71. McIlroy misjudged two chips at the 18th on his way to another one-under 71 at Whistling Straits on Friday, whereas Spieth fired four birdies in six holes to card a five-under 67.

The American would go on to finish runner-up but move above the four-time major winner at the top of the world rankings, as Jason Day claimed a maiden major crown. 

Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2016

Image: Spieth and McIlroy featured with eventual champion Rickie Fowler in Abu Dhabi

Spieth became the first player to be issued with one of the European Tour's new monitoring penalties during an opening round 68, before admitting to tiredness after ending an off-key week in a tie for fifth. McIlroy followed a 66 with back-to-back 70s to head in to Sunday in a share of the lead, but once again fell narrowly short of a long-awaited Abu Dhabi victory.

Who will come out on top at Augusta? Watch the Masters throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf

Outbrain