The golf world has been left stunned after Rory McIlroy’s horror moment on final hole of the US Open ultimately saw him lose grip of winning his first major in 10 years after a late Bryson DeChambeau rally. American LIV Golf star DeChambeau won his second US Open – after his triumph in 2022 – after he watched McIlroy miss an ‘excruciating’ three-foot putt on the 18th to lose grip of the lead and ultimately the trophy.
McIlroy had a short putt for par to tie the lead when heading into the clubhouse. Instead, the golf ball broke from left to right as the crowd gasped at McIlroy’s miss. Scenes showed McIlroy back in the clubhouse looking defeated after letting the lead slip as he watched DeChambeau make history. DeChambeau followed McIlroy and appeared to get himself into trouble after his tee shot went wayward. The American then found himself in the bunker needing to recover a par to avoid a playoff with McIlroy. However, DeChambeau managed to produce a jaw-dropping shot out of the bunker to get within four feet of the hole.
WITH THE US OPEN TITLE IN HIS GRASP RORY MCILROY HAS THE PUTTING YIPS @ForePlayPod
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 16, 2024
The American finished the hole to claim his second US Open title and carry on his excellent form in the majors in recent years. After the tournament, the broadcast showed McIlroy clearly dejected in the clubhouse as he watched the American win the title. DeChambeau described his shot out of the bunker as the ‘best shot of my life’. He also dedicated the win to his late father.
“I want to say Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there,” DeChambeau said in his post-tournament interview. “Unfortunately my dad passed a couple of years ago and this one is for him and also to Payne Stewart – he was the reason why I went to SMU (Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas). “I can’t believe that up and down on the last. That was probably the best shot of my life. That’s huge to get up and down and win this prestigious championship – that will be the highlight of my life.”
Rory McIlroy dejected after horror moment
For McIlroy he missed out on winning his first major in 10 years. The 35-year-old has come agonisingly close on a number of occasions, but the miss appeared to cut McIlroy as he was in no mood to address his performance. Reports suggested he quickly left the clubhouse after watching DeChambeau win the title and opted against a post-tournament press conference.
Fans were left devastated for McIlroy as he missed out again on a major. Scenes of him staring off into the distance in the clubhouse had fans rallying around the golfer.
I feel so bad pic.twitter.com/1t5887eF4A
— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) June 16, 2024
The swallow. The dropped head. This one is going to hurt Rory McIlroy for a while. And understandably so.
Hard to not feel for the guy. pic.twitter.com/V6UDo3ICzs
— Amanda Rose (@AmandaGolf59) June 16, 2024
I’m afraid to say, this one will haunt Rory McIlroy forever. Poor club choices in the final stretch and those two missed putts. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/AaQfN9R7SC
— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) June 16, 2024
Rory McIlroy leaving the clubhouse. He got into his car and drove off. pic.twitter.com/xrUxrAWh3b
— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) June 16, 2024
Rory McIlroy was 496-for-496 putting inside 3 feet this season before that miss.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 16, 2024
DeChambeau put down his run at the backend of the day to his birdie on the par-4 13th hole. He noticed McIlroy putting together a number of good holes and backed himself to stay with the 35-year-old.
“I knew I had to make birdie there to give myself a chance as Rory was going on a heater,” DeChambeau said. “What it means? I haven’t really let it sink in yet.” Fellow Americans Tony Finau and Patrick Cantlay, with final rounds of 67 and 70 respectively, tied for third at four under
