McIlroy falls short as DeChambeau wins US Open

Bryson DeChambeau emerged victorious at the US Open, claiming his second major title at Pinehurst No 2. He began the final day with a three-shot lead and carded a 71 to finish on six under. DeChambeau’s impressive play down the stretch, including a clutch up and down at the 18th hole, secured his win.

Rory McIlroy had a golden opportunity to capture his fifth major but ultimately fell short. He made four consecutive birdies to take the lead but then dropped three shots in a row to hand DeChambeau the title.

McIlroy’s perseverance kept him in contention earlier in the round. He birdied the ninth and made a 25-footer at the par-five 10th to share the lead for the first time. A favorable bounce at the driveable 13th gave him another birdie, but it was not going to be a smooth finish as he bogeyed the 15th after missing the green.

The critical moment came at the 16th, where McIlroy missed a short par putt, dropping him to five under. Even though he recovered successfully at the 17th, his final approach failed to find the green, and a missed four-foot par putt gave him his runner-up finish.

DeChambeau’s consistent play and ability to perform under pressure paid off at Pinehurst. He made several crucial shots throughout the tournament, including a long birdie putt at the 13th hole that helped him stay ahead of the pack. DeChambeau’s accuracy off the tee and his strong iron play allowed him to control the pace of his game and avoid costly mistakes.

McIlroy’s failure to close out the win was a disappointment for the Northern Irishman, who has now gone ten years without a major victory. Despite his impressive play for most of the tournament, McIlroy’s inability to make key putts down the stretch cost him the title. McIlroy’s struggles with his putter have been well-documented, and his inability to convert crucial putts has become a recurring theme in his game, at least since his last major. 

The Northern Irishman’s inability to close out the win raises questions about his mental toughness and ability to perform in intense situations. Despite his impressive physical talent, McIlroy’s struggles with his putter and his inability to make clutch shots have become a major liability in his game. McIlroy will need to regroup and refocus in order to get back in the winner’s circle at a major championship.