In one of the most enthralling and gut-wrenching back nines of any major in recent history, Bryson Dechambeau emerged victorious to claim his second major and second US Open. But it came at the expense of Rory McIlroy, who bogeyed three of the last four to throw away the tournament heartbreakingly.
Back Nine recap
Bryson was three ahead in the final round, but the lead dwindled quickly. Rory birdied the first and the ninth to shoot one under on the front nine, whilst Bryson had eight pars and a bogey. The Northern Irishman then birdied 10, 11 and 13 to get to eight under par. Dechmbeau made a birdie on 10 and the short 13th with a bogey in between to get to seven.
Then came the Rory collapse, as he missed a short putt for par on 16 and then on 18, meaning DeChambeau only needed par to win when it was most likely to go to a playoff. He went left off the tee before punching into the bunker 50 yards short of the pin. He then produced one of the most remarkable clutch shots on the 72nd hole in a major. It was an incredibly difficult bunker shot that he splashed to just inside four feet before nailing the par putt for the win. His outpouring of emotion when he knew he had sealed it was epic and capped off a back nine that had most with their eyes glued to the screen.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe post-round No-Show
Whilst it was elation for Bryson, silencing his critics and claiming his second US Open, it was a choke we have never quite seen from McIleroy, who practically had one hand already on the trophy. It is still relatively unfathomable what the golf world witnessed Sunday evening. Raw emotion on two completely different ends of the scale. Yet while Bryson was gracious in defeat when he lost to Xander Schauffele by one at Valhalla last month, Rory was less so. He left rather swiftly as soon as the Brysn out went in on 18, and was off the property before the victorious American had even signed his card. McIlroy declined all media, he was so shocked at what he had just thrown away, that he could not face the questions.
Whilst it is somewhat understandable, considering the fashion in which the ending played out, it leaves a bad taste in the mouths of Rory fans. Not only is it a bad look for him, but his fans have witnessed him come the closest to winning a major since his last win in 2014. There have been close calls since then, but this is the worst loss of his career. That is subjective, of course, but it did feel as if this was Rory’s for the taking, and he led by two with just five holes to play. So to miss those two putts from close range down the stretch with the championship on the line is truly and utterly as bad as it gets.
A deserving champion
But all credit to Bryson, who did not have his best stuff on Sunday. Only one player hit fewer fairways than he did (6) on Sunday, but he battled to the finish. And with the quality of that bunker shot, with the magnitude of the situation, you have to hand it to him. He was the deserving champion in the end, but what a golf tournament we were lucky enough to witness.
Embed from Getty ImagesNearly as much credit has to go to Pinehurst this week, a magnificent golf course laid out perfectly for what the US Open is all about. It produced a compelling entertainment product, and the players delivered. Again, it was a tough but fair test of how the US Open should be. Bryson DeChambeau had to go out and earn it, which is what he did. It was a very different golf course to Winged Foot, where he won in 2020, and it was also a very different Bryson, as a character, to the one four years ago. This modernised, charismatic and endearing Bryson is a contrast to how he came across a few years ago.
Bryson’s transformation
Fans have gone from chanting “Brooksie” to “We love you Bryson”, with the majority of patrons at Pinehurst seemingly on the big golfer’s side, which is mildly astonishing when you consider the universal popularity of McIlroy. There is much to dislike about Byrson’s past behaviours, but how he comes across now is something to be admired. He has ostensibly become more popular since joining LIV and may be the only person who has had that. His recent content on YouTube adds another aspect to his personality off the course, and he is shoehorning a younger generation of golfers into loving the game and, as a result, loving him.
Rory’s future
It is hard to see where Rory goes from here. Will he ever win another major? It is hard to say. Especially when this week felt like his week from the start, and he still couldn’t get it done. But there remains a glimmer of hope at least that he can use this heartbreak to render more major performances like the one he sustained for 68 holes this week. It still feels like he is in his prime; he has an athletic body that can carry him through for years to come. It certainly feels like he has at least another decade left. But time and time again, he can’t get over the line.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking of changed personas with Bryson, this 2024 version of Rory completely contrasts with the 2014 Rory. The wait goes on, but will the major drought ever end? I think the majority of the golf world hopes so. He can’t keep coming this close. Eventually, he has to win one. You never know, in golf, majors are so hard to win. So when they are there for the tsking, you must make the most of that opportunity. McIlroy did not take advantage of his opportunity this week; when will he have another go?
What’s up next
What a week of golf. It has reminded us as fans what a great golf course and great players can do to entertain and produce a major, as we witnessed. We only get four of these a year, so it is imperative to make everyone memorable. Byt this was by far one of the best in recent times. It had everything. And we got a duel down to the last putt. You can’t ask for much more. The typical major hangover will kick in now, but you best shake it off soon because we head to Scotland, more specifically, Royal Troon next month for the last major of 2024. Hopefully, it comes close to this one!