On a dramatic Father’s Day at Pinehurst No. 2, Bryson DeChambeau secured his second U.S. Open title with a clutch par save on the 72nd hole. DeChambeau opened the final round on Sunday with a three stroke lead over the field including eventual dueling mate, Rory McIlroy. The final round was chock full of intrigue with Rory and Bryson battling for the lead coming down the stretch.
McIlroy had turned a three-shot deficit into a two-shot lead with five holes to play, thanks in part to three birdies in four holes to start his back nine. However, he couldn’t maintain his momentum. The Northern Irishman bogeyed three of his final four holes, including crucial short misses for par on both the 16th and 18th. Both missed putts were inside of four feet, which Rory was 356 for 356 on putts of the same distance coming into the US Open.
DeChambeau’s final hole was reminiscent of Payne Stewart’s iconic shot 25 years earlier at the first U.S. Open held at Pinehurst. He pulled his tee shot into an awkward lie in the sandy area to the left of the fairway, but he hacked out of trouble and made a decisive 55-foot up-and-down from the bunker to secure the win. His winning putt was a nerve-wracking 4 feet similar to the one Rory had missed not 15 minutes prior.
DeChambeau, who now represents LIV Golf, has been on a tear in the majors this year. His victory at Pinehurst followed a T6 finish at the Masters and a runner-up showing at the PGA Championship. Reflecting on his win, he said, “I don’t know what to think. It fully hasn’t sunk in yet. I just want everybody to enjoy it, as well. As much as it is heartbreaking for some people, it was heartbreak for me at the PGA. I really wanted this one.”
The fans played a significant role in DeChambeau’s success throughout the tournament. Once thought of as a villain in the sport of golf, Bryson has worked hard in recent years to rehabilitate his image. That was on full display at Pinehurst as Bryson chatted often with patrons including signing memorabilia and posing for pictures mid-round in some cases. By Sunday, it was clear DeChambeau was the crowd favorite as chants and applause followed him seemingly every hole. In a very classy move following his win, DeChambeau immersed himself in the crowd with his Open trophy allowing as many fans as possible to enjoy the moment with him. Kudos to Bryson this weekend, an exemplary showing by an athlete that is quickly becoming a cherished fan-favorite.
In the end, resilience and handling nerves under pressure secured Bryson’s place in U.S. Open history. As for Rory McIlroy, the collapse will be a painful memory as probably his best chance to break a decade long Major drought. Rory can only hope to forget this tournament as quickly as he left the grounds on Sunday.
Side Note: A missing persons report was filed this weekend with the Pinehurst police department. If anyone has seen the Scottie Scheffler that won the Masters and looked unbeatable just last weekend, please report any sightings to the authorities. Golf is just not the same when the best player in the world is missing. From golf fans everywhere, thank you for your cooperation.
