McIlroy dealing with ‘major’ scar tissue

July 1, 2024

Putting superbly all day and not only overcoming a three-stroke deficit but building a two-stroke lead with five holes to go at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, McIlroy missed a putt of two feet, 11 inches on No. 16 and another shorty, three feet, nine inches, on 18, to open the door for DeChambeau’s victory. It was the second U.S. Open title for DeChambeau, who plays on the LIV tour. He needed a spectacular shot of his own on 18 to win the tournament and he didn’t miss, manoeuvring a 55-yard bunker shot to within three feet and sinking the putt to earn a one-stroke victory.

McIlroy has done this type of thing before. In 2011, while he was just a pup of 21, McIlroy seemingly had the Masters title in his grasp. He started the final round with a four-stroke lead and, incredibly, finished 10 strokes behind. His downfall was on the back nine, where he triple-bogeyed No. 10, bogied 11 and doubled-bogied 12 en route to an 80.