Sunday’s round promised a thrilling sequel to McIlroy’s duel with DeChambeau at last year’s US Open.

The American, who snatched a dramatic triumph at Pinehurst, was second after three rounds and looked poised to wreck the world number two’s hopes again.

But after a promising start which saw him take the lead with a birdie on the second hole, DeChambeau slipped to a three-over-par 75 as Rose – who started the day seven back – emerged as McIlroy’s biggest challenger.

Thirty-six hole leader Rose, who slipped down the leaderboard on Saturday with a 75, began with two birdies in his first three. While bogeys at four and five stalled his momentum, he picked up five shots in a seven-hole span to thrust himself into the mix.

While former world number one Rose dropped further shots at 14 and 17, he birdied 15, 16 and drained a 20-footer on the last to pile the pressure on McIlroy before missing his birdie effort in the play-off.

Having also finished runner-up at last year’s Open Championship, it is another heartbreaking loss for Rose, but he played a central role in a Masters final round for the ages.

“He kind of gave me an opportunity on 18 from the fairway,” said Rose of McIlroy’s miscued approach to the last.

“That was nice of him. But then he closed the door beautifully on 18 with two great swings when it mattered most for him.

“What he’s really learned to do this year is play much more controlled golf, and obviously it’s paying off for him. He’s having an unbelievable season.”

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who finished runner-up on his debut to Scheffler in 2024, briefly shared the lead with McIlroy and Rose but dropped four shots in his last two holes to finish seventh.

Patrick Reed, champion in 2018, carded a closing 69, which was matched by two-time winner Scheffler, who finished a shot further back on eight under.