Sadly McIlroy slips away on last few holes
The Father’s Day finale of the US Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina, America (13-16 June) was a nail-biting affair. The American leader Bryson DeChambeau fought off an attack from three players who were nestled-in just three strokes behind him. Indeed, Sunday at Pinehurst No. 2 was a delightful test of golf – an exciting two-man tussle – between Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and DeChambeau. With all the grit and determination in the world, Bryson DeChambeau seized his second US Open title defeating four times Major winner McIlroy by one tiny shot.
Bryson DeChambeau snatched the lead in the US Open after 54 holes with a score of 7-under par leaving fellow-American Patrick Cantlay, Frenchman Matthieu Pavon and Rory McIlroy three strokes behind him. Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama had a share of fifth place on 2-under. Then came the best English player, Tyrrell Hatton who was tied with Tony Finau (USA) on 1-under. The final day was always going to be exciting. Indeed, it was destined to be one for the history books.
Bogeys for McIlroy
Unfortunately for McIlroy, who carded a second consecutive 69 on Sunday, Pinehurst’s last four holes were the difference between winning Major number five or suffering another Grand Slam heartache. Alas, missing two par putts from inside five feet on the final day at the 16th and 18th took their toll on the Northern Irishman. However, let’s go back to the early stages of Sunday and see just how McIlroy challenged DeChambeau.
McIlroy got off to a blistering start when he birdied the opening hole with a magnificent 21-foot birdie putt to reduce the difference to two strokes with him and DeChambeau.
Both players shared the lead after nine holes on 6-under par. DeChambeau then made his first birdie on the par 5, 619 yard 10th hole to take the outright lead again on 7-under.
In a five hole stretch from the ninth, McIlroy then made three birdies from 15-feet or more. On the 13th, he holed a 5-footer for birdie to get to 8-under par while the American made bogey one hole behind him to fall back to 6-under par. The championship really seemed to be favouring the Northern Irishman at this point.
Indeed, McIlroy made back-to-back birdies at the 12th and 13th holes. DeChambeau dropped a shot at the 12th hole which saw McIlroy get to 8-under par – two strokes ahead of the American. DeChambeau then had his first three-putt at the US Open at the par 3, 15th hole which also happened to McIlroy a few minutes earlier. Hence, McIlroy was now one stroke ahead of DeChambeau on 7-under par.
And just as the excitement was brimming for Rory McIlroy to win his fifth Major, the short-putt-syndrome struck the golfing talent. First at the 16th hole where a tiddler slipped by for par and so McIlroy drew even with DeChambeau. And then a few minutes later at the crucial 18th hole where he made another disastrous bogey. How excrutiating to fall back to 5-under par after such a super round! Can Bryson DeChambeau keep his calm and make par down the final hole?
Glory for DeChambeau
Well, DeChambeau’s ball actually found the greenside bunker at the 18th. But, never fear, dear golfing friends! He then played a superb ball onto the green leaving himself a short uphill putt for par. And I must say, DeChambeau looked so focussed. It was amazing! He knew that he just needed to hole this putt for a one-stroke victory over McIlroy. And that is exactly what he did! It was an epic up and down at Pinehurst No. 2 which earned Bryson DeChambeau his second US Open win in his career.
Although Rory McIlroy rolled-in five super birdie putts on Sunday for a solid round of 69, he sadly missed two short par putts at the 16th and 18th which ultimately cost the Northern Irishman the US Open title.
“I’m so happy that I got that shot up and down on 18”, said Bryson DeChambeau in the press conference. “I didn’t want to finish second again. The PGA really stung. Xander (Schauffele) played magnificent.”
“That bunker shot was the shot of my life.
It’s a dream come true.”
– Bryson DeChambeau
Many, many congratulations to you Bryson DeChambeau. You are the US Open Champion for the second time in your career. We are very proud of you!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
NICE TO KNOW: Players from eight countries (USA, England, Northern Ireland, France, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Spain) were among the top 10 and ties entering the final round. Now that is a new US Open record. The previous record was seven in 2015.
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The newly-crowned US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau.