Crazy stat emerges after Rory McIlroy chokes at US Open
May 30, 2019; Dublin, OH, USA; Rory McIlroy looks on during the first round of the 2019 Memorial golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Rory McIlroy on Sunday botched his chance to win his second US Open. One brutal stat pretty much sums up how badly McIlroy choked.
McIlroy entered Sunday’s final round at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina three strokes back of Bryson Dechambeau, who began the day atop the leaderboard at 7-under through 54 holes. McIlroy stole the lead from DeChambeau after a brilliant stretch wherein he sank four birdies in five holes.
McIlroy’s final-round surge set up a heated battle with DeChambeau on the back nine with the US Open on the line. However, McIlroy fell apart on the final three holes.
The 5-time major winner botched not one, but two putts within three feet to close out his final round (video here).
McIlroy had not missed a single putt within three feet all season, going 496/496 before his two misses to close the US Open.
Rory McIlroy was 496-for-496 putting inside 3 feet this season before that miss.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 16, 2024
DeChambeau needed to make a terrific bunker shot on the 18th hole to set up his US Open-winning putt. He called it the “best shot of my life.”
THE BUNKER SHOT OF HIS CAREER!@b_dechambeau has this putt left to win the U.S. Open! pic.twitter.com/Vleb6k6PvO
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 16, 2024
A dejected McIlroy could do nothing but watch from inside the scoring tent as DeChambeau fittingly sealed the tournament with a short putt.
I feel so bad pic.twitter.com/1t5887eF4A
— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) June 16, 2024
McIlroy was seen leaving the Pinehurst clubhouse and driving off without speaking to the media.