The final moments of the US Open encapsulated the beauty and cruelty of sport. As Bryson DeChambeau thumped the air in delight, a few hundred yards away slumped a devastated Rory McIlroy as his elusive fifth major title slipped through his grasp again. That last hour at Pinehurst No.
2 was perhaps the most captivating scene any sport has produced in recent years, with two modern greats duelling for one of the game's most prestigious prizes. Fuelled by sub-plots galore and an idyllic stage between the pines of North Carolina, it was agonising viewing as momentum swung back and forth between McIlroy and DeChambeau. For three days, the pair had masterfully plotted their way around one of the game's toughest tracks until the spectre of glory loomed as made the turn for the final time.
DeChambeau blinked first and – after starting the day trailing by three – McIlroy suddenly had a two-shot lead; his 10-year major drought seemingly coming to a merciful end. READ MORE: Travis Kelce shares results of Dustin Johnson swing tips during private round READ MORE: Louisville police chief involved in Scottie Scheffler arrest forced to resign after PGA saga What followed will go down in history as one of the most dramatic and enthralling major championship finales of this century. These titans of the sport bared a human streak as the weight of imminent triumph tore away the facade of their other-worldly talent.
Both men stumbled towards the finish line, but it was DeChambeau who was able .
