Bryson DeChambeau ‘surprised’ by Rory McIlroy antics as new reaction emerges
Rory McIlroy surprised and confused Bryson DeChambeau by making a hasty exit from Pinehurst No. 2, failing to congratulate him on his dramatic US Open victory. The 35-year-old McIlroy, who has been in search of his first major trophy in a decade, experienced a heartbreaking collapse in the final stages of the tournament, ultimately handing…
Rory McIlroy surprised and confused Bryson DeChambeau by making a hasty exit from Pinehurst No. 2, failing to congratulate him on his dramatic US Open victory. The 35-year-old McIlroy, who has been in search of his first major trophy in a decade, experienced a heartbreaking collapse in the final stages of the tournament, ultimately handing the title to DeChambeau.
With a two-shot lead and five holes to play, McIlroy’s game unraveled as he dropped three shots over four holes and missed two short putts, including a crucial three-footer on the final hole. After watching DeChambeau seal his victory on a TV inside the clubhouse, McIlroy, visibly devastated, quickly left the room.
According to *The Telegraph*, McIlroy immediately headed to his courtesy car with his team and made a swift journey to Moore County Airport, departing before DeChambeau even signed his scorecard. McIlroy was reportedly airborne, en route to Florida in his private jet, less than an hour after DeChambeau sank his four-foot putt to clinch his second US Open title.
DeChambeau was taken aback when he asked officials about McIlroy’s whereabouts and learned that his rival had left without offering any congratulations. This reaction was especially surprising given that DeChambeau had suffered a similar fate just a month earlier at the USPGA, where he lost to Xander Schauffele by a single stroke but remained at Valhalla to shake the victor’s hand.
McIlroy’s failure to make a three-foot putt on the 18th was particularly striking, as he had not missed from that distance in nearly 500 attempts on the PGA Tour in 2024. Brad Faxon, McIlroy’s putting coach and a former US Ryder Cup player, expressed concern about the immense pressure McIlroy faces in his quest for a fifth major title.
“Nobody has faced more pressure over the past ten years than Rory,” said Faxon, who was working as an NBC analyst. “The missed putts on 16 and especially 18 were tough. It’s hard to imagine how he’ll move past this. It’s a real challenge.”
Despite being disappointed by McIlroy’s abrupt departure, DeChambeau expressed sympathy for his competitor and offered encouragement. “I would never wish for anyone to miss a putt like that,” DeChambeau said. “Rory will win many more major championships, there’s no doubt. I believe this setback will only fuel his fire.”
DeChambeau, who claimed his second US Open in four years, displayed gracious sportsmanship in the aftermath of his victory, confident that McIlroy would soon add to his collection of major titles, which currently includes two PGA Championships, one Open Championship, and one US Open.
