Rory McIlroy criminally went back on his own word and it cost him US Open

Rory McIlroy experienced a heartbreaking conclusion to the U.S. Open, as he narrowly missed out on his first major title in a decade, losing by just one shot to Bryson DeChambeau. The Northern Irishman had set himself up for what seemed like a triumphant return to the winner’s circle, holding a two-shot lead with five holes remaining at Pinehurst No. 2. However, his final stretch proved costly, marred by critical errors that saw his dreams of a fifth major slip away.

On the 15th and 16th holes, McIlroy made costly bogeys, missing a crucial putt from inside three feet. Despite these setbacks, he managed to maintain a share of the lead at six-under as he approached the 18th tee. Positioned just ahead of DeChambeau, McIlroy’s decision-making on this final hole would become the focal point of his downfall.

In a surprising move, McIlroy opted to use his driver on the 18th hole, a choice he had avoided in previous rounds, favoring a more controlled three-wood. The drive veered left into the rough, putting him in a challenging position. From there, McIlroy was forced to punch his ball out from the difficult lie, leaving himself short of the green. His subsequent chip landed him six feet from the hole, but the missed par putt would haunt him.

Conversely, DeChambeau, who also used his driver, found himself in a similar position on the left but managed to recover with a brilliant bunker shot, securing his par and the victory. McIlroy’s missed opportunities on the 15th and 18th greens proved to be his undoing.

Throughout the week, McIlroy had emphasized the importance of playing “boring golf” to succeed in the tournament, aiming for consistency and a methodical approach rather than taking unnecessary risks. He had spoken of the need to avoid explosive play, which he felt was ill-suited to the U.S. Open. “Explosiveness isn’t going to win a U.S. Open,” McIlroy had stated, underscoring the need for a steady mindset over four days of play.

The contrast between his pre-tournament strategy and his critical decision on the final hole was stark, leading to what many saw as a moment of self-sabotage. After DeChambeau’s clinching putt, McIlroy, visibly dejected, chose to forgo post-round interviews and swiftly exited Pinehurst, grappling with the harsh reality of his narrow loss.

As he prepares for the upcoming Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands, McIlroy will need to quickly recover from this disappointment. The missed opportunity at Pinehurst is likely to linger, especially given how close he came to ending his major drought. His decision on the 18th hole, a deviation from his earlier game plan, will remain a point of reflection as he moves forward.