Bryson DeChambeau wins the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2

Bryson DeChambeau edges Rory McIlroy in Pinehurst thriller to secure a second US Open title.

Two missed putts from inside five feet was the death of Rory McIlroy’s US Open campaign with Bryson DeChambeau making an epic up-and-down from the sand on 18 to win by one in a gripping to-and-fro battle. It was the most fitting end to an extraordinary week at Pinehurst.

The Crushers GC captain became the second golfer currently playing on the LIV tour to win a major title after Brooks Koepka, taking advantage of McIlroy’s spectacular collapse which extends the Northern Irishman’s major drought towards a decade.

DeChambeau’s second US Open title comes at the 1000th USGA run tournament, four years after his first at Winged Foot, sending the home crowd into a frenzy as chants of “USA, USA” rang out.

Growing into his transformed persona as one of the game’s most likable characters, DeChambeau was full of praise for the USGA’s organization and Pinehurst’s greenkeeping staff, also dedicating the victory to his late father on the iconic ‘Putter Boy’ green as Pinehurst glowed in the evening sun.

• DeChambeau “I hope this win can bridge the gap between a divided game”

The US Open gods couldn’t have read the script in the men’s professional game any better in North Carolina, pitching the best of the PGA Tour up against LIV’s finest in what would become a battle for the ages.

In reality, however, the 124^th US Open was all about the players versus the course, and inevitably there were very few human winners thanks to Pinehurst’s turtleback greens and native sandhills getting the better of the whole 156-man field for most of the week.

DeChambeau had held the 54-hole lead for the first time in his career at a major, but very quickly on Sunday, the gap to McIlroy closed to one with a two-shot swing in favor of the PGA man.

That was until the par five 5^th, however, when McIlroy’s attempt to get up on the green in two left him tapping in minutes later with a bogey five. Something you just can’t afford to do on the limited par five opportunities around No.2.

Discipline and patience were the talk of the town all week. A ‘war of attrition’ as Tiger Woods described it, or ‘boring golf’ if you will, which as it happened, turned out to be pretty captivating.

Ludvig Aberg and Tony Finau had their very realistic hopes of glory dashed on Saturday, walking off the 13^th hole with triple bogeys as their reward for one slight inaccuracy.

Pinehurst punishes you threefold if you don’t abide by its very stringent rules. Hit the fairway, find the middle of the green, or miss in the right areas. Be greedy at your peril.

McIlroy struck back on the par three 9^th with a timely birdie to get back within one, with DeChambeau moments later holding a crucial putt of similar length to save his par, unleashing the first big fist pump of the day.

The final round was hotting up with DeChambeau, from McIlroy, from Cantlay at the turn. Tony Finau, Russell Henley, and Matthieu Pavon were two shots further adrift. It had the feel of a three-horse race with nine to go.

• Best facts and figures of the day from the US Open

All the more so when McIlroy dropped another birdie at ten to join DeChambeau at the top of the leaderboard. Cantlay followed suit to stay in touch and get within one, although that was as good as it got for Cantlay who failed to get out of third gear all afternoon.

The lead was at six under, and just seven players under par. Valhalla-esque scoring was never in the script at Pinehurst, but this was just as captivating.

Was someone going to go and win it, or would the most disciplined player prevail?

Bryson bounced back with a birdie of his own at ten to retake the lead on seven under where he’d started the day. Many had predicted the scoring to have started sliding backward from day two with the course getting dryer and firmer with each hour that passed under the searing North Carolina heat.

A host of top stars had already fallen by the wayside. Homa, Hovland, Day, Johnson, and Tiger Woods failed to make the weekend. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler had only scraped through by the skin of his teeth in an even more miserable than usual week with his flatstick.

An honorable mention must go to Tony Finau after his horror show on Saturday at the 13^th hole. With tees moved up on Sunday, the American drove through the green, before pitching to within a foot for a birdie that will quieten any demons.

DeChambeau was continuing to make ballsy up and downs to stay ahead. Impossible to win at Pinehurst without scrambling of the highest order. He had that in spades today, and all week for that matter.

Meanwhile a hole ahead, McIlroy was dropping in for his fourth birdie of the day with playing partner Cantlay falling three behind after sliding his par putt by.

Earlier on the range, DeChambeau had walked past McIlroy’s team, placing his hand on Harry’s shoulder (Rory’s caddie) and wishing them good luck. It was almost as if he was mentally preparing to face the Northern Irishman in a final showdown.

But then started a wave of turning points.

A second bogey of the day for DeChambeau at 12 as McIlroy made his second fourth birdie in five holes. All of a sudden it was McIlroy with the weight of a two-shot lead, not that you’d notice it mind watching him strut down the 14^th fairway. He has been here before, even if it was almost a decade ago. Could he handle the pressure to come?

• Holes-in-one at the US Open

Bouncebackability is key at Pinehurst, and DeChambeau’s birdie on 13 drew him back within one with a bogey on the 15^th looking inevitable for McIlroy after shooting the green on the par three 15^th, leaving himself an almost impossible up and down from the wiregrass.

It was all square once again in this gripping tug of war.

Then came DeChambeau’s first three-putt of the championship, missing a five-footer back after a slightly heavy birdie effort. A rare mistake that let McIlroy off the hook momentarily…

But then it was McIlroy’s turn to miss from close range on 16.

Two players feeling the pressure, tied for the lead with holes running out. The bookmakers couldn’t pick a winner, neither could anyone else. Were we heading for a playoff, or would the pass the parcel stop in the hands of just one?

Meanwhile, Tony Finau was tapping in for the clubhouse lead on four under after an impressive round of 67. Be it not for the triple on 13 on Saturday…ifs and buts.

Stepping up to the plate once more, DeChambeau went straight at the flag on the par three 17^th, marching his ball forward while it was still airborne. The putt wasn’t to be, but McIlroy was in trouble on 18, lucky to escape the wiregrass and leave a relatively straightforward pitch which he knocked to within a few feet, only to miss again. Two in three holes! Had he blown it?

Advantage DeChambeau, but he was in the pines too. With half a tree on his back, he managed to punt the ball into the front greenside bunker. An up-and-down for US Open glory. It’s what Pinehurst demands.

Out splashes the ball from 55 yards. Undoubtedly the shot of the day as the ball came to rest three feet from the hole. A deep breath as the light fades on the 18^th green.

In it went. The “shot of his life.” Up there with the very best up-and-downs to win a major title in golf history. Bryson DeChambeau, take a bow.

As for McIlroy. Well, you had to feel from. He was good enough to win this week. Ironically, after all the pitfalls Pinehurst had to offer, it was two simple errors of judgment that had gifted the title.

What can we read into this? We’ll have to wait as a clearly dejected Rory McIlroy scuttled off within minutes of DeChambeau holding the winning putt.

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