Rory McIlroy emerged onto the professional golf scene as one of the brightest young stars in the game. He won four majors before turning 26. But ever since 2014, it’s been a decade-long wait for that elusive fifth major championship. And on Sunday, it appeared that Rory was well on his way to capturing a U.S. Open title at Pinehurst.
That was until the round got away from him.
McIlroy, who had made 496 straight putts from inside three feet this season, had to settle for a bogey on 16 as his par putt lipped out. Then, with a chance to remain atop the leaderboard on 18, McIlroy once again missed a short putt for par.
😱 😱 😱 😱
RORY MISSES ON 18.
Bryson can win the U.S. Open with a par on 18. pic.twitter.com/lSk0ZzzZK2
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 16, 2024
McIlroy could only look on from the clubhouse (or whatever room he had to sign his scorecard from) as Bryson DeChambeau saved par on 18 to win the U.S. Open title. And the disappointment was awfully clear on McIlroy’s face. He knew he had just let a prime opportunity slip away, and it was the kind of collapse that will stay with a golfer.
The NBC broadcast offered this look at the demoralized Rory.
I feel so bad pic.twitter.com/1t5887eF4A
— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) June 16, 2024
I’m afraid to say, this one will haunt Rory McIlroy forever. Poor club choices in the final stretch and those two missed putts. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/AaQfN9R7SC
— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) June 16, 2024
McIlroy immediately left Pinehurst without speaking to reporters after that. And, predictably, golf fans turned McIlroy’s reaction into a meme.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
— Tyler Nettuno (@TylerNettuno) June 16, 2024
When they go from order #81 to #83 but your order was #82 pic.twitter.com/98JNYu3Nes
— Kofie (@Kofie) June 16, 2024
Me going outside to break something after another Dak INT https://t.co/srN2i386vq
— RE Gustafson (@GustafsonRe) June 16, 2024
This could be Arizona sports fans logo pic.twitter.com/uKmScIZaBC
— Espo (@Espo) June 16, 2024
Pinehurt pic.twitter.com/fdpFvYgt9Q
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) June 16, 2024
Me after the Chiefs beat the Niners in the Super Bowl again… https://t.co/CttuD1NQdQ
— Alex Tasker (@AlexTaskerRadio) June 16, 2024
They made Rory watch from the same room the Impractical Jokers monitor their bits. pic.twitter.com/zsoG8li9Ov
— Kyle Koster (@KyleKoster) June 16, 2024
Rory putting on the last couple of holes: pic.twitter.com/D2NyUirV2w
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) June 16, 2024
Me watching ecu football, basketball and baseball https://t.co/uhc0gYPDmn
— red beard 🏴☠️™️ (@pirate021683) June 16, 2024
When the cashier says they need to go check if the ice cream machine is working… https://t.co/H4VRY90DPH
— Certify-A-Bill (@rights_of_bill) June 16, 2024
