Rory McIlroy’s quest to end his major championship drought was thwarted by two missed short putts during the final round of the US Open at Pinehurst Resort.
McIlroy, who had not missed a putt inside four feet over the first 69 holes, saw his chances slip away with bogeys on two of his last three holes, ultimately finishing with a score of 69 and five under for the championship.
Despite a strong performance throughout the tournament, McIlroy’s struggles on the greens on Sunday allowed Bryson DeChambeau to secure the victory.
DeChambeau, known for his powerful driving, managed to hold his nerve and complete a crucial up-and-down from a bunker on the 18th hole to finish with a 71 and clinch a one-shot win over McIlroy.
DeChambeau praised McIlroy, acknowledging his status as one of the game’s greats and expressing sympathy for his missed putts.
“Rory is one of the best to ever play. For him to miss that putt, I’d never wish it on anybody,” said DeChambeau.
McIlroy, visibly disheartened, left the course without speaking to the media, his silent departure underscoring the disappointment of his near miss. This loss adds to a series of close calls for McIlroy in recent majors, including a runner-up finish at the Los Angeles Country Club last year and second-place finishes at both the Masters and the British Open in recent years.
The pivotal moment came at the 16th hole, where McIlroy, leading by one, missed a 30-inch putt for his second consecutive bogey. Another missed putt on the 18th from just under four feet sealed his fate, as DeChambeau capitalized to secure the win.
Despite the setback, many in the golfing community believe McIlroy will bounce back. Matthieu Pavon, who finished fifth, commented on the pressure McIlroy faced:
“He is one of the best players in the world, a true champion. The more you want it, the tougher it gets, but Rory is just a massive champion. I’m sure he will fight back and really soon.”
McIlroy’s impressive play off the tee, where he ranked third in fairways hit and second in driving distance, highlights his potential for future success. However, his struggles on Pinehurst’s challenging greens were his undoing this time around.
As McIlroy looks to the future, the golfing world anticipates his continued pursuit of that elusive fifth major, confident that his determination and skill will eventually lead him back to the winner’s circle.
