Bryson DeChambeau is trying to chase down Rory McIlroy again in a major. He has 18 holes to do it

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau finds himself trying to chase down Rory McIlroy in another major championship.

This time, he has 18 holes to do it.

The two-time and reigning U.S. Open champion made a nearly 50-foot putt from just off the green at the 18th hole Saturday, giving him a 3-under 69 in the third round of the Masters. That left DeChambeau just two shots behind McIlroy — the leader t 12 under — and in the final pairing with him Sunday for the final round.

“Those last few holes, I just kept thinking to myself, ‘Get in the final pairing. Execute those shots the best you can,’” DeChambeau said after signing for a third straight round in the 60s. “I made a beautiful putt to finish it off and that was cool.”

The LIV Golf player has experience staring down McIlroy on some of the game's biggest stages.

Last summer, he was trailing McIlroy by a shot with four holes to play in the final round at Pinehurst No. 2. DeChambeau was able to hold together his nerves while McIlroy faltered, missing two short putts and bogeying three of his last four holes, and a memorable up-and-down in the twilight at the 18th hole allowed DeChambeau to win the U.S. Open by a shot.

DeChambeau and McIlroy had a chance to briefly stare each other down during the third round Saturday, too.

The moment came after they had passed through Amen Corner. DeChambeau was finishing up on the par-5 15th, where he managed to get up-and-down from behind the green for birdie. A couple of hundred yards away, McIlroy hit his approach to the par-3 16th to about 15 feet, though he missed the birdie putt and had to settle for a par.

“It's always important in a major championship to be in the final group, or close to the final group, but it was really fun knowing it was Rory and we could have a good match tomorrow," DeChambeau said. "It's going to be a fun test.”

McIlroy seems up to the challenge himself.

He's trying to chase down the final leg of the career grand slam, and a searing start in which he played the first five holes in 5 under thrust him into the lead. Despite a couple of wobbles as he made the turn, the 35-year-old Northern Irishman was able to make an eagle at the 15th to regain control, and he earned a standing ovation after his round of 66.

DeChambeau had plenty of highs and lows, too. He birdied two of his first three holes and was tied with McIlroy at 9 under before he found a bunker at the fourth and made bogey. DeChambeau stuck his approach at No. 6 to 3 feet for another birdie, only to find the bunker left of the ninth green with that approach shot, leading to a second bogey.

Yet he kept on working — fittingly, for the analytic-driven player nicknamed “The Scientist.” And by the time he made an 8-footer to save par at the 16th, and made that big birdie at the last, DeChambeau was back in contention at Augusta National.

One year ago, he opened with a 65 and still shared the second-round lead before a 75 on Saturday left him with too much ground to make up. DeChambeau tied for sixth, nine shots back of eventual winner Scottie Scheffler.

The enduring image of that Masters, of course, might have been DeChambeau walking down the fairway holding a giant wooden sign that is intended to direct patrons around the property. It had been in his way, so he simply decided to move it.

DeChambeau opened with 69 in his return to Augusta National this year, though he lamented his ball-striking, which was not quite to his liking. So long after everyone else had departed the property, he stood under the giant flood lights of the expansive Masters practice range and hit balls, one after another, until he was happy with his swing.

He proceeded to shoot 68 on Friday. And with another under-par round Saturday, he's in the final group for Sunday.

“I think it's fun feeling like you have to hit every single shot to the best of your ability, and you can't let off the gas pedal, and you have to focus and play the best golf you can,” DeChambeau said. “When you're leading, it's a little different. I've had those times as well, and you attack those a little different. But for me to be chasing tomorrow, it'll be a fun test.”

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Bryson DeChambeau hits from the rough on the seventh hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bryson DeChambeau tosses his club on the 12th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Bryson DeChambeau tosses his club on the 12th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Bryson DeChambeau reacts after missing a putt on the 11th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Bryson DeChambeau walks to the tee on the 12th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Bryson DeChambeau hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bryson DeChambeau reacts after missing a putt on the 13th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bryson DeChambeau reacts after missing a putt on the 13th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bryson DeChambeau reacts after missing a putt on the 13th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bryson DeChambeau greets patrons on the 18th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Bryson DeChambeau celebrates after a birdie on the 18th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Bryson DeChambeau celebrates after a birdie on the 18th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Bryson DeChambeau celebrates after a birdie on the 18th hole during the third round at the Masters golf tournament, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. shoppers stepped up their shopping last month, fueled by a spending spree on big ticket items, particularly cars, before President Donald Trump’s expansive new tariffs started kicking in.

But analysts were quick to point out that the data wasn't a sign of strength but underscored the extreme economic uncertainty that shoppers face and how they want to get ahead of higher prices.

Retail sales rose 1.4% in March, after rising 0.2% in February, according to the Commerce Department.

Tbe number marked the highest percentage gain since January 2023, when it was 4.1%, according to FactSet.

Retail sales fell 1.2% in January, hurt in part by cold weather that kept more Americans indoors, denting sales at car dealers and most other stores.

Excluding sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, sales rose 0.5% in March, compared with the previous month.

Sales at motor vehicles and parts dealers rose 5.3%, and the report also underscored strength elsewhere. Sales rose at electronics stores, sporting goods retailers and clothing and accessories stores. Grocery stores and online retailers also saw gains. Restaurants had a 1.8% increase. However, furniture and home furnishings stores posted a decline.

“These are simply blow out numbers on March retail sales where the rush is on like this is one gigantic clearance sale,” said Christopher S. Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBonds LLC in a published note. “Consumers are expecting sharply higher prices the next year and are clearing the store shelves and picking up bargains while they can. ”

Economists expect sales will likely fall over the next few quarters.

“With the economy set to cool sharply in the coming months as tariffs take their toll, price-sensitive consumers are poised to become more judicious with their spending and reduce their nonessential purchases," EY Senior Economist Lydia Boussour wrote in a note Wednesday.

Consumers’ confidence has already taken a hit. And a growing number of retailers and suppliers are halting shipments from China as well as pausing orders as they wait to see where the tariffs settle. In some cases, they are canceling orders.

The result of the trade wars so far: a baseline tariff on most countries of 10%, with imports from China getting taxed at a combined 145%. Goods from Canada and Mexico face tariffs of up to 25%, while imported autos, steel and aluminum are taxed at that same rate. China retaliated last week with a 125% tariff on U.S. goods.

Early this month, Trump announced sweeping and steep tariffs on nearly all trading partners. But after Trump’s U- turn last week that paused the new tariffs on about 60 nations for 90 days, average U.S. duties remain much higher than a couple of months ago.

Last Friday, the Trump administration announced tariff exemptions on electronics like smartphones and laptops but a few days later said they’re only a temporary reprieve.

Against this background, U.S. consumer sentiment plunged in April, the fourth consecutive month of drops, in a seemingly sharp disapproval of Trump’s trade wars that have fueled anxiety over possible job cuts and rising inflation.

Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, a global logistics company based in San Francisco, has seen the companies that he works with already raising prices by 5% to 10%.

“We’re going to see it likely play out even more because these tariffs haven’t even washed through the system yet,“ he said. ”So once the goods are arriving paying the higher duties people have no choice but to raise prices to accommodate for that."

He added it's become hard for companies to make investments and set up a supply network given the uncertainty.

Analysts say the big retailers will be able to navigate better than the smaller ones, which don’t have the clout to absorb extra costs or pressure their suppliers. But it also depends on the type of goods they sell, particularly if they have goods sources from overseas.

Ashley Hetrick, principal and sourcing and supply chain segment leader at accounting firm BDO, noted that stores are more cautious about ordering seasonal items because they have a shorter shelf life. She said that the canceling of orders hasn't been widespread.

Walmart executives pledged last week it will keep delivering low prices as it navigates Trump’s escalating trade wars with China.

But the nation’s largest retailer told analysts that it’s still vulnerable to the challenges and is monitoring the fluid tariff situation. The company told analysts that sales have been volatile.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said last week that the company has been doing everything it can to keep prices low for customers, including bringing in goods early ahead of the barrage of tariffs and negotiating with suppliers.

But Jassy told CNBC’s Andrew Sorkin Thursday that its network of third-party sellers will have to pass on the higher costs to sellers.

Paul Farago, president of Ace Marks, a footwear company in Miami, said that the big tariff bill on Chinese goods has already forced him to pause production on a less expensive version of its Ace Marks brand, which was supposed to be the company’s engine of growth.

The “diffusion” line, made in China with synthetic material, is priced at around $120. Farago estimated that with the new tariffs, the shoe line will have to be priced at around $300, the same price as the expensive leather version made in Italy. The diffusion line was developed three years ago, and it had already reached 10% of its overall business. Farago had hoped that by 2026, it would be 30% to 40% of the company's total sales.

Farago said he will have to disappoint a lot of his store clients and shoppers who are looking for affordable footwear. The new shoes were supposed to be shipped in June or July.

“The investments we were looking to make and the people we would have hired to help us run this business…. That’s now off the table,” he said.

Customers shop televisions at a retail store in Glenview, Ill., Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)