Golf updates with Padraig McGrath: Bryson Shines in Epic US Open Showdown with Rory

PGA Golf Professional and Director at P&M Golf Superstore Padraig McGrath brings you the latest from the fairways. In this week’s column, Padraig has the low-down on Bryson DeChambeau’s epic win.

In a stunning display of power and precision, Bryson DeChambeau triumphed over Rory McIlroy at the US Open yesterday, securing only his second major title in spectacular fashion.

The final round at Pinehurst was nothing short of electrifying as DeChambeau’s faced off against McIlroy. Although both players were in separate groups the atmosphere was incredible throughout the final round.

From the outset, the final round lived up to what the spectators wanted, as the competition was fierce. McILroy, who had shown remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, starting the day three behind Bryson, but birdied the first to reduce that lead to only two strokes.

Then on the 5th hole Rory hit a stunning long iron with a big sweeping high draw into the front of the green, however his ball never fully settled and eventually it rolled off the false front all the way back down the fairway into the sandy wasteland into a horrendous lie.

This misfortune led to a bogie six on what briefly was looking like a sure birdie and this was his only drop shot on the front nine. He would go on to birdie the ninth and finish the front nine in one under par which would see the gap close to only one stroke behind Bryson, who shot one over par.

Now they both had teed up a real exciting back nine on Sunday at the US Open for all of the spectators. Rory would continue on from his birdie on the 9th to follow up with three more birdies on the 10th, 12th and the 13th to charge ahead of Bryson who also managed to birdie the 10th and 13th but unfortunately, he double bogied the 12th, which saw Rory get ahead of him for the first time in the final round.

It was evident Rory had one hand on the trophy after the 15th when he was now two full shots clear of Bryson, however shockingly to everyone’s horror Rory’s short putting deserted him on both the 16th and 18th where he missed two extremely short putts leading to bogies on both these holes.

Rory’s poor finish of three over par for the last four holes opened the door for Bryson as he went one shot ahead going down his final hole. A poor tee shot down the last saw Bryson under serious pressure it looked like a bogie would be on the cards.

With a very restricted backswing all Bryson could manage was to nudge his ball forward into a deep bunker with still over 60 yards from the pin, which is possibly one of the toughest shots in golf. Bryson wasted no time in committing to this shot and, in my opinion, played one of the best golf shots I have ever seen especially, considering the pressure of the situation.

He blasted the ball out of the bunker and used a downslope on the front of the green to roll his bunker shot to four feet which he would hold to win the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst.

I can’t help but feel this showdown was not just Rory V Bryson but rather The PGA Tour V’s LIV. It was noted also Rory did not hang around to congratulate Bryson and it was clear to see the pain he felt when Bryson hold that winning putt on the 18th.

It is an interesting time in golf now with so much talent on both tours it is hard to win any event not alone a major and I am sure Rory is sickened he allowed Bryson the opportunity to win this major by missing two extremely short putts that he would usually hold in his sleep.

The question is how does Rory react to this loss, can he bounce back and keep his current form going after this major setback. Only time will tell but I think we all felt his pain when he lost the tournament but missing those two putts, when he has worked so hard on his putting with his new putting coach Brad Faxon.

As the golf world reflects on another unforgettable showdown on the back nine of a major championship, DeChambeau’s win is sure to spark so much confidence in his ability for the rest of this season.

Both of his victories at the US Open not only cements his status as one of golf’s elites currently but for the foreseeable future. The change I have seen in Bryson’s course management, control of his ball flight and how impressive his distance control has gotten in the past couple of years tells me he now has the ability to win any of the four majors. I can see him now contesting a lot of majors in the coming years ahead.