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Brandel Chamblee suggests why Rory McIlroy can never be compared to Tiger Woods

Originally posted on HITC | By Peter Lynch | Last updated Apr 12, 2026 1:00 PM ET

Rory McIlroy may just have blown his best chance of emulating Tiger Woods by becoming a multiple champion at The Masters.

Woods was in contention for a dramatic return to the major tournament he has won five times, most recently in 2019.

But the legendary figure has decided to take a step back from golf in a bid to focus on his mental health, which looks to be a wise decision to say the least.

In his absence, one-time Masters winner McIlroy stole the limelight early on, soaring to a record six-shot lead after 36 holes.

But the defending champion now enters the final round level with Cameron Young, with Brandel Chamblee making a direct reference to the great Woods after that extraordinary collapse.

Brandel Chamblee cannot compare Rory McIlroy to Tiger Woods

Speaking on Golf Channel, Chamblee said about retaining a lead at The Masters: “Six players have had a five-shot lead prior to Rory’s six-shot lead today in the history of The Masters, going back to its beginning.

“Only one of those players was able to increase that lead on the weekend. Only Ray Floyd in 1976.

“All the other players averaged on the weekend, eight shots higher than the scores they shot to get the lead.

“They were not the same person on the weekend that they were building that lead. This is why we marvel at Tiger Woods.

“It is the rarest of athlete that comes in and can be the exact same person when he’s built a significant lead that built that lead and can continue.

“I don’t care who. Pick a player. Ben Hogan tied for the lead 1952 here, shot 79 on Sunday. He had a three shot-lead 1954, lost it.

“Tom Watson, had a five-shot lead at the PGA Championship 1978, lost it. You pick a player. Tiger Woods had the two-shot lead 2009 PGA, lost it. You pick a player here.

“Ed Sneed had the big lead, lost it. Seve Ballesteros had a 10-shot lead with nine to go, three holes later, he had a three-shot lead.

“Pick a player, and they have always struggled, except Tiger Woods. Yes, the one time at the 2009 PGA Championship. But I’ll take 14 out of 15 54-hole leads.

“What we saw today from Rory is consistent with the Rory we saw when he first burst onto the scene really in 2010.”

Photo by Joel Marklund/Augusta National/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy facing unprecedented pressure on final day of The Masters

McIlroy is no stranger to blowing leads at major championships, but losing this year at The Masters would be a bitter pill to swallow.

He has remained upbeat, but behind the scenes the Northern Irishman will undoubtedly be hugely disappointed with his latest efforts at Augusta.

After superb rounds of 67 and 65, he posted a one-over 73 on Saturday to dent his chances of a second Masters title and blow the tournament wide open.

McIlroy recorded four birdies, 10 pars, three bogeys and one double bogey as Augusta fought back to his aggressive approach.

Six-time champion Jack Nicklaus thinks aggression was McIlroy’s Masters downfall before he finally claimed the green jacket last year, with a revised approach perhaps now required from the co-leader.

He held a two-shot lead after 54 holes this time last year, but needed a playoff to beat Justin Rose and complete the career grand slam.

Intriguingly, he has held a 54-hole lead in all five of his previous major wins, with his current unprecedented scenario certain to put further pressure on his shoulders.

Cameron Young says if he really thought he had a chance of catching Rory McIlroy at The Masters

Paul McGinley states how Rory McIlroy is ‘very different’ to Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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