Fans left heartbroken for Rory McIlroy after ‘biggest choke in history of golf’ in final US Open round
Rory McIlroy’s long wait for a major-tournament victory will continue after a disappointing finish at Pinehurst. The Northern Irishman, poised to end his decade-long drought, missed crucial short putts in the final three holes of the US Open, leaving him one stroke behind Bryson DeChambeau. In a heart-wrenching conclusion, McIlroy missed a two-foot, six-inch putt…
Rory McIlroy’s long wait for a major-tournament victory will continue after a disappointing finish at Pinehurst. The Northern Irishman, poised to end his decade-long drought, missed crucial short putts in the final three holes of the US Open, leaving him one stroke behind Bryson DeChambeau.
In a heart-wrenching conclusion, McIlroy missed a two-foot, six-inch putt for par on the 16th hole and a less than four-foot putt on the final green of the 72-hole tournament. His last major triumph was at the PGA Championship in August 2014, making this near-miss even more agonizing for his fans and followers.
The final round’s outcome not only shattered McIlroy’s hopes but also left golf enthusiasts devastated. Social media buzzed with reactions immediately after the results were confirmed. One fan on X expressed the collective sentiment: “That’s hard to watch. Plus three for the last four holes. Absolute torture for Rory McIlroy. He still has The Open and the Olympics to add something to his CV, but it’s hard not to feel for him even if you are not a fan.”
Another comment highlighted the emotional toll of McIlroy’s performance: “I don’t know how Rory McIlroy can recover from that kind of choke. Bryson took advantage of all the mistakes.” A more critical voice labeled it “one of the worst choke jobs in the history of golf,” asserting that McIlroy had effectively handed the victory to DeChambeau.
Mike Greenberg of ESPN added to the chorus, saying, “Rory McIlroy is an all-time talent. I hope against hope he gets another someday. But this one is going to stick. Two-shot lead, two putts less than three feet each. In a snakebitten decade, this has got to be the toughest to take.”
Remarkably, McIlroy had not missed a putt inside three feet all season before his unfortunate miss on the 16th hole, maintaining a perfect 496-for-496 record. This fact underscores the shocking nature of his lapse under pressure.
McIlroy’s next opportunity to break his major drought will be at The Open Championship next month, his last chance in 2024 to end the streak. Alongside his 2014 PGA Championship victory, McIlroy also won the Open Championship in 2014, marking his second-most recent major win. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can reclaim his former glory and finally put an end to his winless streak.