Bryson DeChambeau celebrates second US Open victory with fans at Pinehurst as heartbreak yet again in a major for Rory McIlroy
54 hole -7 leader of US Open Bryson DeChambeau took a three-shot lead over -4 Rory McIlroy, Matthieu Pavon and Patrick Cantlay into Sunday’s final round at Pinehurst. McIlroy was under severe pressure especially with not winning a major since 2014 PGA Championship. It was a fantastic battle throughout Sunday evening between McIlroy & DeChambeau and the Northern Irishman went two ahead due to a birdie at 13. “When I turned the corner and saw I was a couple back, I said, Nope, I'm not going to let that happen”, said DeChambeau.
McIlroy was putting excellent on Sunday, but his luck ran out at 16 especially with missing his first putt inside three feet this season. “I was a little lucky. Rory didn't make a couple putts that he could have coming in”, said DeChambeau. The 18th hole at Pinehurst is a 449 yard par four and was going to decide outcome of 2024 US Open as both McIlroy & DeChambeau were tied on -6. The Northern Irishman dropped a shot at 18 and set a clubhouse target of -5. It looked like a play-off was on the cards but the American had other ambitions especially with achieving an unbelievable bunker shot from 55 yards to win his second US Open in four years. “I had an amazing up-and-down on the last”, said DeChambeau.
DeChambeau has picked up more fans due to getting the crowd involved especially at Pinehurst and received a winner’s check of $4.3 million. “My mission is to continue to expand the game, grow the game globally, domestically”, said DeChambeau. The only time it’s possible to watch DeChambeau on TV is the majors due to current situation between PGA Tour & Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. DeChambeau came second at Valhalla then went one better at US Open and McIlroy needs to take inspiration from him for upcoming Open Championship in July. “Yeah, Rory is one of the best to ever play. Being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special”, said DeChambeau. McIlroy finished runner-up and earned a check of $2.3 million.
Day one leader Cantlay failed to make his presence known regarding winning but had to settle for a tied third finish with Tony Finau on -4. Pinehurst was the winner with only eight players finishing under par which included Pavon -3 fifth, Hideki Matsuyama -2 sixth and Russell Henley & 2024 PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele -1. “I love the test that Pinehurst is presenting, and you've got to focus and concentrate on every single shot out there”, said McIlroy. Shane Lowry signed off his week at Pinehurst with a sensational birdie at 18 to finish tied 19th +4 and earned $255,800. Tom McKibbin’s reward for making the cut was a Sunday tee time with world number one Scottie Scheffler but he finished tied 41st +8.