Big US Open talking points as Bryson DeChambeau pips Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst

Bryson DeChambeau poses with the trophy after winning the 124th US Open at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.Bryson DeChambeau poses with the trophy after winning the 124th US Open at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.
Bryson DeChambeau poses with the trophy after winning the 124th US Open at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.
Golf correspondent Martin Dempster reports on a dramatic finish to season’s third major

Bryson DeChambeau landed the knock-out blow in the ‘Punch up at Pinehurst’ but Rory McIlroy also contributed to a dramatic finish seeing him end up on the canvas in the 124th US Open.

After holing putt after putt in the final round in North Carolina to find himself with a two-shot lead coming down the home stretch, McIlroy missed from under three feet - two feet, six inches, to be exact - for the first time this season at the 16th, an untimely slip up coming just as DeChambeau was three-putting for the first time all week at the 15th in the game behind.

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Bidding to land his first major win since 2014, McIlroy saved par from a greenside bunker at the par-3 17th, where DeChambeau, having sunk to his knees in disbelief after shaving the edge of the hole with a birdie attempt at the previous hole, was unable to convert a good birdie opportunity.

Rory McIlroy reacts after finishing the 18th hole during the final round at Pinehurst Resort. Picture: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.Rory McIlroy reacts after finishing the 18th hole during the final round at Pinehurst Resort. Picture: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.
Rory McIlroy reacts after finishing the 18th hole during the final round at Pinehurst Resort. Picture: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.

With the duo locked together, a first play-off in the USGA event since 2008 looked to be on the cards only for the par-4 18th to deliver one final twist in the tale.

After taking his driver rather than a 3-wood, which had been his choice of weapon earlier in the week, 2011 winner McIlroy found the native area on the left and came up just short with his second shot.

As had been the case all week, he played a lovely chip only to miss another short par putt - one from two feet, four inches this time - and leave his fate in DeChambeau’s hands.

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In trouble himself off the tee, the American put his second shot into the front bunker, leaving himself with a 54-yarder to the hole and, on another day, McIlroy might have been handed a reprieve.

Not on this occasion, though, in what was thw USGA’s 1,000th championship. DeChambeau produced one of the game’s greatest shots in recent history to get it out to three feet and in went the par putt for his second success in the event after his breakthrough major win at Winged Foot in 2020.

“Unfortunately, my dad passed away a couple of years ago and this one is for him,” said DeChambeau of his Father’s Day victory before also mentioning Payne Stewart, who also won at this venue in 1999 and inspired his compatriot to wear a flat cap when he started out as a professional.

As for this title-winning shot, the LIV Golf player, who joined Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in becoming the only golfers to win the US Amateur and multiple US Open titles, said: “Man, I can’t believe that up and down - probably the best shot of my life.”

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For McIlroy, meanwhile, his major drought was extended in the most cruel way possible, with six-time major winner Nick Faldo saying in his commentary for Sky Sports that the two missed putts late are “going to haunt Rory for the rest of his life”.

Only time will tell, but roll on the 152nd Open at Royal Troon next month as DeChambeau is heading there with a big bounce his step and McIlroy will be a man on mission when the dust settles on this bitter disappointment.

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