Pinehurst (United States) (AFP) – Rory McIlroy declined to speak with reporters after his final-round collapse at the US Open on Sunday, which helped hand the victory to Bryson DeChambeau.
The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland, a four-time major champion, made the rare move after squandering a two-stroke lead with five holes to play with bogeys on three of the last four holes.
McIlroy missed a prime chance to end a 10-year major win drought, instead settling for a 21st top-10 major finish since that last major triumph at the 2014 PGA Championship.
McIlroy missed par putts from 2.5 feet at the par-4 16th and just inside four feet at the par-4 18th — tension-packed bogeys that left McIlroy one behind in the thriller.
Television cameras captured McIlroy watching as DeChambeau sank a four-foot par putt on 18 to secure the triumph.
As the crowd roared and DeChambeau began to celebrate, McIlroy stared ahead for a few seconds then turned and walked away with caddie Harry Diamond.
They were seen a few minutes later entering the Pinehurst parking lot, packing bags into a car and driving away.
McIlroy even spoke to reporters at the PGA Championship last month a day after his divorce plans were made public.
McIlroy said this week those plans are off.
© 2024 AFP
