After losing by just one stroke in the PGA Championship, Bryson DeChambeau bounced back with a one-stroke victory over Rory McIlroy on the second hole at Pinehurst in the 124th U.S. Open.
It’s DeChambeau’s second U.S. Open championship, having previously lifted the trophy in 2020 with only a few fans in attendance at Winged Foot Golf Club due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But this time, the fans went wild as DeChambeau made the par putt to win the tournament. DeChambeau, the fan favorite all week, screamed because this course had given him and every golfer a tough test and the week ended with a win.
But despite DeChambeau being paired with Mathieu Pavon in the final pairing of the day and leading the tournament, McIlroy birdied the 10th, 12th and 13th holes to take sole possession of the lead at eight under par.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Bryson DeChambeau greets the crowd after making a putt on the sixth hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. (Katie Goodall – USA Today Sports)
Fresh off a bogey on the 12th hole, DeChambeau said after the round that McIlroy was “in form” and he knew he had to make a birdie on the 13th hole to stay in the lead, which DeChambeau did and put himself within one stroke of the leader.
McIlroy had been chasing a major championship for the past decade, coming so close but never winning, but as soon as he rounded the 15th hole, his putter began to betray him.
Tiger Woods reveals uncertain outlook for future at U.S. Open
He bogeyed the 15th hole, then missed two putts within five feet on his final three holes (the 16th and 18th) to finish the tournament at 5 under par.
Spectators couldn’t believe what they were witnessing, especially when McIlroy’s putt went wide right on the 18th green, sending the game into a combined playoff for the first time in U.S. Open history.
DeChambeau had already hooked his tee shot into the wilderness on the 18th hole, but McIlroy missed the putt. McIlroy hadn’t found the fairway like he had in previous rounds and had missed putts all day. McIlroy knew he needed par to win, but with poor visibility to the green and tree roots right next to his ball, it was going to be an uphill battle.
Rory McIlroy hits from the sixth tee box during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. (Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports)
Crouching under a tree branch, DeChambeau hit a pitching wedge, and although he hit the ball well, it veered to the right and landed in a bunker 55 yards from the pin in the middle of the green.
But DeChambeau fought well all day to stay in contention for the championship, and said the best shot he ever took was when he hit a bunker shot right where he wanted it and watched it roll just a few feet short of the hole.
All the emotion DeChambeau had been holding back through four rounds was unleashed as he yelled and cheered for the crowd, while McIlroy looked like he was becoming a meme. On NBC’s broadcast, he was shown in the clubhouse, completely dejected after DeChambeau sunk a putt, knowing he’d missed his chance to end his major championship drought.
Another thing worth mentioning about DeChambeau’s win is that the late Payne Stewart attended SMU and was an inspiration to him in all aspects of golf, including wearing the traditional flat cap.
DeChambeau wore a Stewart pin on the back of his hat all week because it was the 25th anniversary of his iconic celebration after an 18-foot birdie on the second hole at Pinehurst to win the U.S. Open. The course honored him with a special 18th-hole flag featuring the silhouette of a celebratory man with his fist raised and legs raised.
Bryson DeChambeau hits from the seventh tee box during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. (Katie Goodall – USA Today Sports)
Click here to get the FOX News app
DeChambeau was pointing heavenward for Stewart and his late father on Father’s Day as he won a tournament filled with tension and excitement before a final putt sealed the victory.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
