Bryson DeChambeau wins 2nd US Open in cliffhanger
DeChambeau poses in the bunker from which he produced a miraculous par save – image USGA
In one of the more gripping final round US Open battles, Bryson DeChambeau has won his second US Open title with a one-shot victory over Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst No 2.
Beginning the day three ahead of McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Matthieu Pavon, DeChambeau recorded an early bogey but so too did McIlroy and through 8 holes DeChambeau still led by three, that was however until a withering burst by McIlroy of four birdies in the next five holes put him two ahead through 13 holes.
DeChambeau was playing in the group behind McIlroy and he matched McIlroy’s birdie at the 13th and the difference was just one but then came a wrong club for McIlroy at the 15th and, unable to save par from behind the green, his lead had been cut to one.
McIlroy found the green at the long par 4 16th but almost inexcusably three-putted, the second putt from less than 3 feet, and the pair were tied at 6 under.
DeChambeau narrowly missed a 20-footer at the 16th and again from 15 feet at the 17th and so he headed to the 18th tee tied with McIlroy who was facing an up and down to save par at the last.
McIlroy’s pitch from just short of the green finished 3 feet behind the hole but once again, he would miss from an almost unmissable range, which created the opportunity for DeChambeau to make par and win by a shot.
His drive was well left but it came up against a tree root in the sandy waste area and all he could do was to pitch out and hope for a bit of luck. The shot went sideways into the front bunker some 45 yards from the hole but in one of the most brilliant up and downs ever in such a situation, he hit his bunker shot to 4 feet and made the putt to win by a shot.
“Well, first off, I want to say happy Father’s Day to every father out there,” said the champion. “Unfortunately, my dad passed a couple years ago, and this one is for him.”
“Also, to Payne Stewart, he was the reason why I went to SMU. He’s the reason why I wore the cap. Pony up, that’s right. Go SMU. Wow. I just can’t thank you guys enough for all the support this week. You guys have meant the world to me. You are the best fans in the world, and I can’t thank you enough. What a group of people.
“To my team that’s growing quite a bit and to my best friends and the people that I love the most, I’m surprised you’re here — not really surprised, but I can’t thank you enough for being here. You guys mean the world to me, and I would not be here without you guys. I really appreciate it, team. Thank you, all.
“I felt like I was hitting the driver pretty well today. It just wasn’t starting exactly where I wanted it to. Ultimately on 13, I knew I had to make birdie there to give myself a chance because Rory was going on a heater, and he slipped up a couple on the way coming in, and I just kept staying the course, focused on trying to hit as many fairways as I could, even though I didn’t. I was not great today with that.
“But I got out of trouble really well, and then, man, I can’t believe that up-and-down on the last. That was overall probably the best shot of my life.
“I was just trying to land it pretty much where I landed it and run it out to the right. I remember Payne’s putt and how it broke up there, and I knew that was obviously huge to get up-and-down to win this prestigious championship that will be the highlight of my life. I still can’t believe it. It’s unbelievable.
“What it means? I haven’t really let it sink in yet. Tonight I want all of you guys somehow, I want you guys to touch this trophy because I want you to experience what this feels like for me. You were a part of this journey this week, and I want you to be a part of it for the after-party.”
McIlroy’s putter, who had been such a servant for nearly all of the final day, let him down when he most needed it, and so the drought of major titles over the last ten years continues.
So gutted by his struggling finish in which he bogeyed three of his last four holes, McIlroy did not front the media after his round, perhaps understandably as this was one he should have won.
Tony Finau and Cantlay tied for third, two behind the winner.
The best of the Australasians was Min Woo Lee who finished tied for 21st. Adam Scott’s final round of 69 saw him finish 35th and Ryan Fox was 56th.
