Sir Nick Faldo fears Rory McIlroy’s US Open heartbreak could haunt him for the rest of his career after squandering a glorious opportunity to win an elusive fifth major title.
McIlroy was in prime position to end his decade-long major drought when he climbed the leaderboard on the final day at No. 2 Pinehurst, with four birdies over a five-hole stretch, earning him two ahead of overnight leader Bryson DeChambeau with five holes to play. play.
The Northern Irishman missed a putt from less than a meter at the par-three 15th, having converted all 496 previous efforts from that distance this season, although he still held a share of the lead heading into the par-four final despite a bogey at the 16th. .
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A look back at the big failures that cost Rory McIlroy his first major in 10 years during a dramatic final day of the US Open.
McIlroy then missed another putt from less than four feet at the 18th to drop to five under, as DeChambeau produced a superb 55-yard bunker shot to set par from close range and claim a remarkable one-stroke victory.
The former world number 1 refused to speak to the media following his second consecutive US Open finish, leaving the course minutes after DeChambeau’s victory, while Faldo – commentating for Sky Sports – said: “This will haunt Rory for the rest of his life, these two misses.
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The story of Rory McIlroy’s dramatic final round which turned into heartbreak with three bogeys in his final four holes.
“It was an incredible ending. It was a four out of four from Bryson and the celebration of all celebrations! Rory will be heartbroken, so I feel for him. He’s going to be gutted, completely gutted.”
How ‘disappointment’ could hurt McIlroy
McIlroy has now posted six consecutive top 10 finishes at the US Open without winning and has 21 top 10 majors since his PGA Championship success in 2014, with Dame Laura Davies – a four-time major champion – questioning the impact of his last near miss. Could have.
“It was one of the biggest highs and lows ever for DeChambeau to win a major championship, but it’s a bitter disappointment for Rory,” Davies said. “He (McIlroy) had it in the bag.
“It wasn’t bad golf, he missed a few putts – and that will be a bitter pill for him to swallow. He probably hit the wrong club at 15, which started the problems. The miss at 16 was inexplicable, then the one at 18, I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad putt.
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Rory McIlroy lost his lead at the US Open when he missed another point-blank putt for par on the 72nd hole
“It shows how difficult it is to win a golf tournament, let alone the US Open – probably the toughest test they’ve had in many years. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out the way it does. you want it in the end. Will it hurt him? It really could. It’s such a disappointing loss.
“He will be remembered for his two putts, but he played incredible golf to get to four under at one point. He can take comfort in the fact that he got back into position. He will win one, we We know he will do it again at some point, but it will be difficult for him to accept.
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Highlights from the final round of the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2, where Bryson DeChambeau scored a dramatic victory.
Radar: the fifth major “slipped through the fingers”
McIlroy entered the final day with three leads and mixed five birdies with four bogeys during his final round 69, which contained several impressive ups and downs to save par before his series of dropped shots down the stretch.
“He (McIlroy) just wasn’t up to it today,” Sky Sports’ Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley said. “He missed two short putts and you should make them. There was nothing wrong with the greens – they are very fast, but it surprises everyone that he missed them.
Rory McIlroy’s wait for a fifth major title continues after another second-place finish at the US Open
“He’s been there and done that before, won all kinds of championships, but today I thought he would cross the finish line. It was sad to see. He’s just one of those case it will hurt.
“McIlroy has been in certain situations before – he’s been upset before and bounced right back. He’s a tough guy and you don’t get to where you are, the best golfer on the planet for that long, but the number 5 major was there and it slipped through his fingers.
“We thought Rory was going to win, but he didn’t… and let’s face it, Bryson, all week has been the star of the show here. He’s been so popular, box office at times and a worthy champion, I was expecting a play-off but it didn’t happen and Bryson won.
DeChambeau: McIlroy will be fueled by major failure
DeChambeau becomes the first player to win multiple US Open titles since LIV Golf League member Brooks Koepka defended the trophy in 2018, although he has backed McIlroy to bounce back and add to his major total.
“He (McIlroy) is one of the best to ever play the game,” DeChambeau said in his post-round press conference. “To be able to battle against a big guy like that is pretty special. For him to miss that putt, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It played out that way.
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Bryson DeChambeau reflects on a dramatic victory at the US Open and the journey he traveled – on and off the course – to win a second major title.
“He will win several more major championships. There’s no doubt about that. I think that fire in him will continue to grow. I have nothing but respect for the way he plays golf.
“I’m sure this will fuel Rory’s fire even more. He’s a strong-minded individual. Rory will do it. I would love to have a lot more battles with him. It would be a lot of fun.”
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What’s next for McIlroy?
McIlroy is expected to make an immediate return to action at the Travelers Championship, the latest of the PGA Tour’s flagship events and live from Thursday on Sky Sports, before taking two weeks off ahead of his Genesis Scottish Open title defense.
The 35-year-old will then stay in Scotland for the Open at Royal Troon from July 18-21, where McIlroy will look to avoid extending his major drought into an 11th season. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.
