Rory McIlroy’s search for another elusive major championship — his first in a decade — came to a crushing end on Sunday when the Northern Irishman bungled a one-stroke lead to hand Bryson DeChambeau his second U.S. Open jug of his career.
It was a heartbreaking finish for McIlroy. The four-time major champion was four holes away from a second U.S. Open triumph, showcasing just the sort of all-around game that has made him a fixture in the world’s top-10 rankings since his professional debut.
Then, disaster struck. McIlroy surrendered bogeys on three of his last four holes, gifting DeChambeau a chance at the title. The American would make him pay, chipping an up-and-down effort a la Payne Stewart to take home the crown.
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McIlroy was left dumbfounded by his putting miscues. He missed not one but two putts inside of four feet, efforts that very well could have assured a historic victory.
All told, it was a nightmarish finish for the mercurial McIlroy. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t in the mood to speak on his late-round display, either.
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Rory McIlroy interview
McIlroy quickly jetted off following the conclusion of the U.S. Open, leaving without speaking with any media members.
In a video posted to X, the website formerly known as Twitter, onlookers captured McIlroy tossing his clubs into the back of his tournament-sponsored Lexus before getting on the road.
Rory McIlroy leaving the clubhouse. He got into his car and drove off. pic.twitter.com/xrUxrAWh3b
— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) June 16, 2024— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 16, 2024
McIlroy looked despondent once DeChambeau’s effort nestled home. It seems this showing — his 10th top-five finish and 21st top-10 since his win at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla — was among his most emotionally draining.
I feel so bad pic.twitter.com/1t5887eF4A
— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) June 16, 2024
DeChambeau expressed his deepest sympathies for McIlroy, also asserting that the Northern Irishman’s misfortunate at major tournaments would cease sooner rather than later.
“For him to miss that putt, I would never wish that on anybody,” DeChambeau said. “I think that fire in him is only going to continue to grow. He’s going to win more major championships.”
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