A frustrated Rory McIlroy walked away from Pinehurst Resort on Sunday without speaking to the media after throwing away a good chance to end a decade-long hunt for the fifth major as Bryson DeChambeau was awarded the US Open title.
Usually a gracious opponent in defeat, McIlroy could not prevent this latest setback or escape Pinehurst quickly enough as he loaded his car, got behind the wheel and left the equipment.
McIlroy was in good shape to end his barren run at the majors but shockingly missed two par putts within four feet over his last three holes and ended up one stroke behind DeChambeau.
It marked a fourth-place finish for the Northern Irishman including last year’s US Open, but none came in a more painful way.
“He’s going to win a lot of big championships. There’s no doubt about it,” DeChambeau said.
“I think this fire in him will continue to grow.”
McIlroy started the day three shots behind 54-hole leader DeChambeau but, bolstered by a remarkable stretch on the turn where he had four birdies in five holes, he had two five-hole leads to play for.
The wheels started to come off when McIlroy bogeyed the par-three 15th where he failed to get up and down after his shot left the back of the green.
He then made his second consecutive bogey when, for the first time all season, he missed a par putt within three feet.
McIlroy left the door open for DeChambeau when he missed the fairway on the 18th hole, drove it from the front of the green with his next shot, chipped it just past the hole and watched his par putt come within four feet.
“For him to miss that putt, I would never wish that on anyone. It just happened that way.” DeChambeau said.
As DeChambeau bogeyed his way to the final hole to seal the win, McIlroy, watching from inside the scoring tent, quickly cut a distraught man to his car.
McIlroy’s scene leaving Pinehurst was a stark contrast to last month’s PGA Championship when runner-up DeChambeau returned to the 18th to congratulate Xander Schauffele after a birdie putt to clinch the win.
“At the end of the day we’re all human,” said Matthieu Pavon, who finished fifth at the US Open, three shots behind DeChambeau.
“Rory was chasing another hero [for] many years. He is one of the best players in the world, a true champion. Shows you how hard it is.
“The more you want it, the stronger it is, and the higher the expectation you have of yourself, the stronger it is, the more pressure you go under.”
“Maybe this is a little pressure for him today, but Rory is a great champion. I’m sure he will fight again soon.”
McIlroy’s next shot at winning his first major title since the PGA Championship in August 2014 will be at the British Open July 18-21.
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