McIlroy’s heartbreaking defeat at the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst is likely to haunt him for a long time, according to various pundits. His own coach has questioned how he can recover from such a devastating loss. After securing a two-shot lead with four birdies in five holes, McIlroy faltered in the final stretch, bogeying three of the last four holes. This allowed Bryson DeChambeau to claim his second US Open title with a spectacular par save on the last hole.
The missed putts on the 16th and 18th holes by McIlroy have been widely criticized by commentators and analysts. Nick Faldo believes that it will haunt him for the rest of his life, despite McIlroy’s impeccable putting record throughout the tournament. Brad Faxon, McIlroy’s putting coach working as an analyst on NBC, highlighted the immense pressure McIlroy has been under to win another major. He questioned how McIlroy could overcome such a devastating loss, emphasizing the significance of the missed putts.
DeChambeau showed sympathy for McIlroy, acknowledging the pressure he faced and expressing respect for his abilities. Brandel Chamblee, a former tour professional, also noted the rarity of such a high-quality player faltering in a critical moment like McIlroy did at the US Open. Despite not speaking to media after finishing second on five under par, it is clear that McIlroy is feeling the weight of his loss heavily.