In what was a classy touch, US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau says he wouldn't wish on anybody the disappointment that befell Rory McIlroy on Sunday at Pinehurst No.2.
The Down golfer had looked primed to win an elusive fifth major title when he led the tournament by two shots with five holes to play.
Having began the day three shots behind his American rival, McIlroy took control of the tournament with a sensational mid-round surge.
Four birdies in five holes helped him seize the initiative around the turn as he put himself in position to win a first major title in ten years.
But then suddenly, out of nowhere, he missed a three foot par putt on sixteen and the door opened once again for DeChambeau.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
With Rory a group ahead, the pair were level heading down the last but McIlroy slipped up once again.
After playing a driver into the native, his approach was short and while his chip was good, it presented him with another three footer which, given what had happened two holes earlier, was always going to be nervy.
The putt was tame, the ball broke to the right and Rory made bogey. Cue gasps from the grand-stand.
DeChambeau too was in trouble after hooking his drive left but in the end he saved par with what was a sensational up-and-down from the bunker.
With that, he was a two-time US Open champion as the wait goes on for McIlroy. He made a swift exit from the course and didn't take part in the usual post-round media.
Read More: Rory McIlroy Makes Hasty Exit From Pinehurst After Heartbreak
Afterwards, his rival DeChambeau paid a heartfelt tribute to McIlroy.
"Rory's one of the best to ever play," said DeChambeau post-round.
"And being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special.
"For him to miss that putt, I'd never wish it on anybody.
"It just happened to play out that way.
"He'll win multiple more major championships and I think that fire in him is going to continue to grow, and I've nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf because to be honest, when he was climbing up the leaderboard, and he was two ahead, I was like uh-oh, uh-oh.
"But luckily things went my way today."
"He'll win multiple more major championships, there's no doubt."
Bryson DeChambeau is confident Rory McIlroy will be back winning majors again. pic.twitter.com/3HKaODKsML
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 17, 2024
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