Pinehurst – Bryson DeChambeau held on to secure his second U.S. Open Championship, this time in front of a proper crowd.
DeChambeau shot +1 in the final round to end the week at -6. This was his second major championship victory, with both of them being in the U.S. Open. He won the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., in front of a small crowd due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
World ranked No. 2 Rory McIlroy battled DeChambeau down the stretch, but came up short at -5 for the week. McIlroy had a few short misses on the final holes, which helped DeChambeau win his second major championship.
Sunday’s final round was nothing short of dramatic, as the U.S. Open at Pinehurst was the past two times. Drama ensued as DeChambeau’s drive landed in the natural area with a root under his ball, his second shot landed in the bunker, then had an incredible up-and-down from 54 yards to land four feet from the 18th hole.
He drained the putt and the crowd at Pinehurst No. 2 erupted in cheers. DeChambeau’s emotions were on display throughout Sunday’s round, especially as he yelled in celebration as the final putt dropped.
It was a battle of strength, as DeChambeau and McIlroy are two of the longest drivers in professional golf. McIlroy is ranked first in driving distance on the PGA Tour this season, averaging 318.9 yards off the tee.
DeChambeau leads PGA Tour competitor LIV Golf in driving distance with an average of 320.9 yards. He qualified for last week’s major by being a past champion.
In his post-round press conference, DeChambeau said, “That bunker shot was the shot of my life. I’ll forever be thankful that I’ve got longer wedges so I can hit it farther, get it up there next to the hole,” he said with a smile.
“I don’t know what to think. It fully hasn’t sunk in yet … It’s a dream come true.”
McIlroy left the course immediately after his heartbreaking final round and did not speak with the media Sunday evening.
This week was special for DeChambeau, as one of his heroes is Payne Stewart. Stewart, who won the first U.S. Open at Pinehurst
in 1999, was honored before Sunday’s final round as his iconic winning putt celebration was embroidered on the flag in the hole at the 18th green.
Stewart tragically died in 1999 in a plane crash just a few months after his win at Pinehurst. DeChambeau dons the same iconic flat cap as Stewart. While DeChambeau wore a regular hat
during the U.S. Open, he had his flat cap clipped to his bag to pay tribute to his hero.
Tony Finau, who finished T3 at -4, spoke Sunday evening while having his son on his lap. When asked how it feels to have his family there with him on Father’s Day, he said, “It’s the best.
“Walking off the 18th green, I always feel like a winner when I see my wife and kids. That’s a win in my book.”
Martin Kaymer, who won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in 2014, shot +13 to finish T64 for the week. He spoke with the media after his practice round June 11.
“Obviously coming here with all those good memories, when I played today it felt like I left yesterday,” he said. “The golf course looks a little bit different than 10 years ago, but the feeling was very positive.”
With the win, DeChambeau walked away from Pinehurst with $4.3 million. The total purse was $21.5 million.
This week, the PGA Tour heads to Cromwell, Conn., for the Travelers Championship. The next major championship, The Open Championship, is July 18-21 at Royal Troon in South Ayrshire, Scotland.