Bryson DeChambeau Holds Off Rory McIlroy for U.S. Open Title in Dramatic Fashion
Bryson DeChambeau secured his second U.S. Open title in one of the most dramatic finishes to a major championship in recent golf history. DeChambeau beat out Rory McIIroy by one shot after McIlroy missed two putts within four feet on two of the final three holes. McIlroy started Sunday three shots back of DeChambeau; after a one-under front nine followed by birdies on three of his first four holes on the back nine, McIlroy found himself with a two-shot lead with just five holes to play. The biggest momentum swing in favor of McIIory was a two-shot swing that occurred within seconds when McIlroy birdied the 13th hole, and DeChambeau bogeyed the 12th hole almost simultaneously. This is where it began to unravel for McIlroy.
McIlroy took a one-shot lead into the 16th hole, but he missed a three-foot par putt to give up the lead. Luckily for him, DeChambeau repaid the favor by missing a very short par putt of his own on the 15th hole, so the two remained tied as McIlroy entered the 17th hole and Dechambeau entered the 16th hole. McIlroy executed a fantastic up and down from behind the 17th green to save par, and DeChambeau easily made par on the 16th hole. Then, DeChambeau had a 25-footer for birdie on the 17th hole to give him the solo lead, but he just narrowly missed. That miss by DeChambaeu set the stage as both players were tied at six-under par with just the 18th hole standing between them and a playoff to decide who would win the U.S. Open. McIlroy missed the fairway just left off the tee, setting up a difficult second shot from just behind a small bush. He was unable to get much on the ball, and he left the shot just short of the green. This meant that McIlroy would have to get up and down to save par and put the pressure back on Dechambeau.
McIIroy’s chip was a very good one, giving him a four-foot par chance which he lipped out just like he did just two holes prior. This crucial mistake meant that all Dechambeau had to do was make par on the 18th hole to win, but he did not make it easy on himself. His tee shot was far more left than McIIroy’s was, and he was right up against a tree root. With not being able to get a full swing off and not having a good angle at the green, DeChameau hit his second shot into the green-side bunker. Then, the already one-time U.S. Open winner sketched his name into the history books yet again with one of the signature shots of his career when he hit a 55-yard bunker shot to about five feet away from the pin. He was able to knock in the par putt to capture his second U.S. Open title.
This is a monumental moment for Bryson Dechambeau in his career with all that he has had surrounding him. Between making the transition to LIV, being one of the more outgoing personalities in the sport, and coming so close in both the Masters and the PGA Championship earlier this season, DeChambeau came through when it mattered most. So, whether you like him or hate him, a fan of the sport has to respect what he has accomplished. As for Rory, the struggle down the stretch in major championships continues. He is still left searching for his first major since 2014, and this is probably one of the more heartbreaking defeats he has experienced in his career. He will get one more crack at winning a major this season in July across the pond at the Open Championship.
