Bryson DeChambeau has won the 124th US Open at Pinehurst after a thrilling back-and-forth battle with Rory McIlroy, who will come to rue what was described as an “excruciating miss” to close out the round.
McIlroy had a short putt for par to head into the clubhouse tied for the lead at six-under but missed, leaving DeChambeau one stroke in front entering his final hole of the day.
The American looked to be in trouble though, with a wayward tee shot forcing DeChambeau to duck under a tree as he tried to guide the ball towards the green.
Instead, it ended up in the bunker and the epic duel between the pair looked like it would head to a playoff until DeChambeau pulled off a stunning shot to get within four feet of the pin.
DeChambeau showed nerves of steel to then make the shot, condemning McIlroy to more heartbreak as the Irishman came up just short of ending his 10-year major win drought.
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McIlroy had already reduced DeChambeau’s lead to two strokes by the time the American teed off, with the Irishman making an opening-hole birdie after sinking a 21-foot put.
DeChambeau showed no signs of wilting under the pressure, opening his final round with back-to-back pars, although there were a few shaky moments as he first failed to find the green at the second on his approach and also misjudged a shot on the fourth.
Eventually it caught up to DeChambeau, who was not able to save par after overhitting the fourth green, instead having to settle for a bogey after his 15-foot putt for par lipped out.
A close call then also burned McIlroy on the fifth after he ended up in the bunker with two shots to save par, getting to 23 feet out from the hole before just missing as he bogeyed.
DeChambeau though also missed a big opportunity to extend his lead at the par-four seventh and then looked to be in trouble at the eighth as his drive veered to the right.
“DeChambeau’s shot went long and left of the green. I’m not sure there can be a worse possible spot to leave it for your third,” Former major champion Rich Beem said in commentary for Sky Sports as DeChambeau found himself between the trees.
DeChambeau was somehow able to recover and sink one from 15 feet to save par, clearly understanding just how important the moment was as he let out a big roar.
It came after McIlroy birdied to move one shot off the lead and the Irishman then drew level with DeChambeau at six-under after making a 27-foot put.
That didn’t last long though, with DeChambeau reclaiming the lead after he made birdie at the par-five 10th before McIlroy came up just short of a stunning 34-foot birdie putt to remain one shot off the lead.
But the twists kept coming as McIlroy made two-straight birdies, including one from 23 feet, to take the lead after DeChambeau bogeyed after missing the fairway at the par-four 12th.
DeChambeau had a chance to regain a share of the lead at the 14th but came up just short on his eagle putt attempt, instead sinking the easy shot at birdie to reduce McIlroy’s buffer to one.
McIlroy eventually lost that lead as he failed to make a tough par save at the 15th but regained it soon after as DeChambeau faltered with a costly bogey.
The Irishman though also faltered under pressure as he too missed a short putt for par, seeing the pair tied once more and setting up an “all-timer” according to Luke Elvy in commentary.
That description ended up being accurate as the pair battled it out right until the very end.
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