What was described in commentary as an “excruciating miss” from Rory McIlroy could cost the Irishman as he battles Bryson DeChambeau in a thrilling race to the finish in Monday’s final round of the 124th US Open at Pinehurst.
McIlroy had a short putt for par to head into the clubhouse tied for the lead at six-under but missed, leaving DeChambeau one stroke in front entering his final hole of the day.
DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open winner, stood on seven-under par 203 after 54 holes, the only player to break par in each of the first three rounds over the dome-shaped greens and weedy sand waste areas at the 7,543-yard layout.
Third-ranked McIlroy, trying to end a 10-year major win drought, was on four-under 206 with American Patrick Cantlay and France’s Matthiew Pavon.
LEADERBOARD: McIlroy and DeChambeau locked in tense battle for glory
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McIlroy had already reduced DeChambeau’s lead to two strokes by the time the American teed off, with the Irishman making an opening-hole birdie after sinking a 21-foot put.
DeChambeau showed no signs of wilting under the pressure, opening his final round with back-to-back pars, although there were a few shaky moments as he first failed to find the green at the second on his approach and also misjudged a shot on the fourth.
Eventually it caught up to DeChambeau, who was not able to save par after overhitting the fourth green, instead having to settle for a bogey after his 15-foot putt for par lipped out.
A close call then also burned McIlroy on the fifth after he ended up in the bunker with two shots to save par, getting to 23 feet out from the hole before just missing as he bogeyed.
DeChambeau though also missed a big opportunity to extend his lead at the par-four seventh and then looked to be in trouble at the eighth as his drive veered to the right.
“DeChambeau’s shot went long and left of the green. I’m not sure there can be a worse possible spot to leave it for your third,” Former major champion Rich Beem said in commentary for Sky Sports as DeChambeau found himself between the trees.
DeChambeau was somehow able to recover and sink one from 15 feet to save par, clearly understanding just how important the moment was as he let out a big roar.
It came after McIlroy birdied to move one shot off the lead and the Irishman then drew level with DeChambeau at six-under after making a 27-foot put.
That didn’t last long though, with DeChambeau reclaiming the lead after he made birdie at the par-five 10th before McIlroy came up just short of a stunning 34-foot birdie putt to remain one shot off the lead.
But the twists kept coming as McIlroy made two-straight birdies, including one from 23 feet, to take the lead after DeChambeau bogeyed after missing the fairway at the par-four 12th.
DeChambeau had a chance to regain a share of the lead at the 14th but came up just short on his eagle putt attempt, instead sinking the easy shot at birdie to reduce McIlroy’s buffer to one.
McIlroy eventually lost that lead as he failed to make a tough par save at the 15th but regained it soon after as DeChambeau faltered with a costly bogey.
The Irishamn though also faltered under pressure as he too missed a short putt for par, seeing the pair tied once more and setting up an “all-timer” according to Luke Elvy in commentary.
Elsewhere, Cantlay also made birdie to move one shot back from the co-leaders while Russell Henley, Tony Finau and Matthieu Pavon were tied for fourth at two-under.
DeChambeau, among eight players from Saudi-backed LIV Golf to make the cut, could become the second active LIV player to win a major after Brooks Koepka at last year’s PGA Championship.
A victory would lift the 30-year-old American from 38th into the top 10 in world rankings.
DeChambeau, last month’s runner-up at the PGA Championship, was nagged by right hip tightness on Saturday.
But he could match the record of eight consecutive major rounds at 69 or lower by breaking par on Sunday, tying Greg Norman from 1993 and Rickie Fowler from 2014.
The eventual winner in the past 25 US Opens has been within four of the lead entering the final round, which if true this year would narrow the contenders to DeChambeau and his nearest trio of rivals.
Four-time major winner McIlroy last captured a major at the 2014 PGA Championship but the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland has finished better at the US Open each of the past five years, including his runner-up showing last year.
It is a spicy penultimate pairing with McIlroy and Cantlay thanks to a spat that goes back to last year’s Ryder Cup.
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Cantlay edged McIlroy in a Saturday match and Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, celebrated to a point on the 18th green that McIlroy felt infringed upon him. They had words on the green and a confrontation in the parking lot.
The next day, McIlroy cruised in singles to help Europe beat the United States for the trophy.
McIlroy appeared to put any ill feelings at rest, however, shaking hands with LaCava and fist-bumping Cantlay on the first tee before they began.
Cantlay, seeking his first major triumph, could overtake Collin Morikawa for the last US berth at the Paris Olympics, but would need at least a two-way share of second to have a chance.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, the huge pre-tournament favorite, fired a two-over 72 to stand on eight-over 288, 15 strokes off the pace as the last group began.
The American became the first player since Tom Watson in 1980 to win five US PGA Tour titles before the US Open and has 12 top-10 finishes in 13 events this year, including his second victory at the Masters.
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