Read more: Bryson DeChambeau: 20 Things You Didn't Know About the 2024 US Open Champion

PINEHURST, NC - It was heartbreak for Rory McIlroy at the 2024 U.S. Open as Bryson DeChambeau emerged victorious in dramatic fashion at Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday.

The 35-year-old was visibly distraught after his approach shot to the difficult 18th hole at Pinehurst found a bunker, leading to a missed par putt that sealed American Bryson DeChambeau's championship. McIlroy was then seen hurriedly packing his belongings without stopping to congratulate DeChambeau, rushing to catch a flight and put the disastrous final round behind him.

Rory McIlroy misses out on another Major at Pinehurst

😱 😱 😱 😱

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 held a two-shot lead with just five holes to play but suffered a devastating collapse down the stretch, bogeying three of his final four holes to fall one shot short and allow DeChambeau to claim his third U.S. Open title.

The Northern Irishman looked in complete control for most of the back nine, moving to six-under par after birdies at the 9th and 10th holes. Meanwhile, overnight leader DeChambeau battled with two bogeys on his outward nine to fall one adrift of McIlroy.

However, disaster struck for McIlroy at the par-4 16th. After finding the green in regulation, he horrifically missed a short par putt of just 2 feet 6 inches, dropping back into a tie with DeChambeau at six-under.

That set the stage for an epic conclusion. McIlroy pulled his tee shot at the par-3 17th into a bunker but managed to save par. At the 72nd hole, another wayward tee shot left him with an awkward stance and after coming up short with his approach, he three-putted from four feet to sign for a closing 74.

DeChambeau arrived at the last needing a par to force a playoff. After finding the fairway, he played a conservative shot to the centre of the green and two-putted for par to win his first major title since 2020 in an extraordinary turn of events.

McIlroy's week was filled with turmoil prior to the US Open after a surprising announcement earlier in the week. He had filed for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll in May, but disclosed on Tuesday that they had reconciled and called off the split.

The emotional rollercoaster appeared to take its toll on McIlroy during the finals rounds. After holding the lead through three days, mistakes began to creep in during the back nine of Sunday's round as the pressure mounted.

I feel so bad pic.twitter.com/1t5887eF4A

— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) June 16, 2024

A distraught McIlroy declined to speak to media afterwards, slipping away quietly with his caddie and agent. He will face more questions about his ongoing drought in golf's biggest events, now standing at zero wins from his last 37 majors.

No media for Rory McIlroy, as he loads up the car and quickly leaves the premises. pic.twitter.com/z9FzEoq0hB

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) June 16, 2024

For DeChambeau, it was a career-defining victory that proved the power game he has worked so hard to create can win golf's truest tests. He now has three career major titles as one of the game's most exciting talents.

Bryson DeChambeau holds the trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Pinehurst, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt York)

But on this day, it was heartbreak for McIlroy and his legions of fans as another chance for a fifth major slipped through his grasp at the conclusion of an utterly compelling U.S. Open.

Questions will surround whether McIlroy can recover from arguably the most devastating defeat of his illustrious career. His next chance on golf's biggest stages comes at The Open Championship next month.

References: https://golf.com/news/tense-moments-rory-mcilroy-us-open-defeat/ 

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