After a stunning collapse in the last few holes of the US Open at Pinehurst, where Bryson DeChambeau won a second title, Rory McIlroy’s agonizing wait for a fifth major championship continues.
Rory McIlroy will always carry the regret of his two disastrous putts at the end of the US Open, according to Sir Nick Faldo.
Before his two stunning misses on the 16th and 18th holes cruelly stole away from him, McIlroy’s hopes of winning the US Open appeared realistic. Starting the day three shots ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, McIlroy’s charge gained momentum when he made four birdies in a five-hole stretch beginning at the ninth hole, giving him a two-shot lead.
McIlroy was leading the US Open by one with just three holes remaining, but two agonizingly poor putts destroyed his hopes, allowing DeChambeau to win his second US Open championship with a steady par on the 18th. The excruciating loss prolongs McIlroy’s ten-year wait for a fifth major championship.
Sir Nick Faldo, a commentator for Sky Sports, summed up McIlroy’s suffering after missing the cut so close: “Those two misses are going to haunt Rory for the rest of his life.”
Six-time major champion Faldo said, “It was an incredible finish.” Bryson finished with a four of all fours and the celebration of all celebrations!
“Rory is going to be devastated, and I feel bad for him. He will be completely and utterly destroyed.”
McIlroy declined to speak to the media after the match because of the heartbreak at Pinehurst. But in his victory speech, a jubilant DeChambeau displayed sportsmanship by comforting McIlroy following such an intensely emotional finish to the competition.
DeChambeau stated, “I would never wish that on anybody for him to miss that putt (on 18).” “I believe that fire within him will only get stronger. He will take home more significant titles.
“I have the utmost respect for the way he plays golf because, to be honest, I was like, ‘Uh-oh, uh-oh,’ when he was two ahead on the leaderboard. But happily, things worked out for me.
“I believe that fire within him will only get stronger. He will take home more significant titles.”
Despite shooting one over on day four, DeChambeau finished with a final score of six under, showing poise by making critical par putts in the closing stages. Golf statistician Justin Ray emphasized how unusual McIlroy’s error was, pointing out that up until the sixteenth hole this season, he had a perfect record on putts inside three feet.
At the 18th hole, McIlroy missed a 3-foot-9-inch putter, which further cemented his defeat. DeChambeau, meanwhile, saved par following a bunker shot. Along with his 2020 US Open victory, it was DeChambeau’s second major victory.
McIlroy will have a few weeks to get over his setback before attempting to win a major championship once more. Starting next month, Royal Troon will host the Open Championship.
