There's no shortage of major championship failures haunting Rory McIlroy 's memories, but the scar left by his epic collapse at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.
2 will be the toughest to mend. McIlroy, who entered the final round three strokes back of Bryson DeChambeau , played beautiful golf for three hours. The Northern Irishman sunk a 20-footer for birdie on the first hole to immediately put pressure on the leader.
After an unlucky break that led to a bogey on the par-5 fifth, McIlroy went on a brilliant tear that resulted in four birdies in a five-hole stretch. Suddenly, McIlroy found himself with a two-shot lead with four holes to play. He had one hand on the U.
S. Open trophy with the finish line in sight — his 10-year major championship drought finally on life support. That's why they play 18 holes.
On the par-3 15th, McIlroy hit a flighted-down iron that didn't have enough height to hold the firm green. He ended up short-sided and failed to get up and down from a hairy lie. Dagger No.
1. On the brutally tough par-4 16th, McIlroy hit two fantastic shots to give himself a 27-footer up the hill for birdie. After lagging his birdie putt to two feet, six inches, the 35-year-old made a visibly tentative stroke and lipped out on the left side.
Another bogey, and a two-shot lead evaporated. Before that miss, McIlroy was 496-for-496 from inside three feet this season, per Justin Ray of The Athletic . Dagger No.
2. After a clutch up-and-down on the par-3 17th, McIlroy pulle.
