Going into the final hole at the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy was 496-for-496 putting inside three feet this season So odds were in his favor that a four-foot putt on the 16th hole would go in to help him secure a U.S. Open victory.
But a bogie on that hole and two more on the final four holes — including a six-foot miss on the 18th — led to a heartbreaking defeat as Bryson DeChambeau claimed victory on Sunday afternoon at Pinehurst.
Sunday marked DeChambeau’s second U.S. Open win. He narrowly beat McIlroy with a 6-under 274. McIlroy went 5-under 275.
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“That’s Payne right there, baby!” DeChambeau screamed as he walked off the 18th green.
Payne Stewart famously made a 15-foot par putt on the final hole in 1999 at the first U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, beating Phil Mickelson by one shot. DeChambeau says he was inspired to go to SMU when he saw a mural of Stewart on campus.
McIlroy led until the 16th hole before the series of unfortunate events. He hasn’t won a major since 2014.
After DeChambeau claimed victory, McIlroy wasted no time leaving the golf course. Reporters at Pinehurst said McIlroy left before DeChambeau even signed his card.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
