Whether it will be remembered as the U.S. Open that Bryson DeChambeau won, or the one that Rory McIlroy lost remains to be seen. Regardless, DeChambeau is now a 2x U.S. Open champion following a thrilling back and forth affair Sunday afternoon at Pinehurst No. 2.
DeChambeau had to earn it down the stretch, as his tee shot on 18 settled next to a root, and under a tree branch which impeded his backswing. After his punch out found a fairway bunker, the American had a roughly 45 yard approach from the sand on the final hole of the tournament.
Needing to go up and down to save par and avoid a potential playoff with McIlroy, DeChambeau saved perhaps his best shot of the tournament for last. The 30 year old stuck his approach and was able to drop a short putt for a one over round, finishing at 6 under par for the tournament.
Having previously won at Winged Foot during the 2020 PGA season, DeChambeau now has two major championships on his resume, along with a T6 finish at this year’s Masters, and a runner up finish at the PGA Championship this spring.
For his efforts, DeChambeau will pocket $4.3M from the $21.5M purse at the Pinehurst resort in North Carolina. Rounding out the top 5 were McIlroy (-5), Patrick Cantlay (-4), Tony Finau (-4), and Matthieu Pavon (-3).
And while DeChambeau earns full marks for his composure down the stretch, especially on 18, many will remember this year’s tournament as another instalment in the Rory McIlroy book of near misses at major championships.
The 35 year old held the outright lead on Sunday, but saw some uncharacteristic putting yips down the stretch cost him his chance to break his decade long major drought. After draining countless 20+ footers all weekend, and looking as dialled in as he’s been in recent years, McIlroy missed 2 short putts in 3 holes to hand the lead back to DeChambeau.
After reaching 8 under par with birdies on 9, 10, 12, and 13, McIlroy carded bogeys on 15, 16, and 18, including a missed 2.5ft putt on 16 to come back to the pack. It was an all too familiar result for the Northern Irishman who now has more near misses on his resume since his last major in 2014 at Valhalla Golf Club than he cares to remember.
Following the round, McIlroy quickly departed the course, and was visibly frustrated by his play over the event’s final 4 holes.
Up next for the PGA Tour is the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. This year’s event features a robust $20M purse at the par 70 jewel. It also has the potential to see some extremely low scores, with Jim Furyk’s 58 in 2016 currently standing as the course record.
Photo: Axel Schumann.