The drama and the joy. The drama is that of Rory McIlroy, the joy is that of Bryson DeChambeau. The Northern Irishman, up to five holes from the end, does everything well and finds himself one step away from a Major triumph which would put an end to a starvation that lasted fifteen years. Instead, a genuine mental breakdown causes him further pain, to the advantage of the thirty-year-old Californian, who wins with a score of -6 (67 69 67 71, 274 strokes) and regains his place among the greats of golf four years later. , also securing a return to the OWGR top 10.
A duel, the one between McIlroy and DeChambeau, which lasted substantially from the beginning, when the American at high altitude LIV Golf started with a two-shot lead from the tee shot of hole 1. For him, however, little strategy and so much shooting that, in the long run, it doesn’t benefit him, since he stays close to par. The Northern Irishman took advantage of this and, thanks to four birdies in five holes, between the 9th and 13th, rose to -4 for the day and -8 for the tournament.
While Patrick Cantlay chasing from a short distance, remaining there waiting hawk style in case someone made a mistake, McIlroy stumbles into a bad bogey at the 15th which evens everything out: -7 for the two contenders. Or at least that’s what it seems like, because DeChambeau misses a very easy putt at the 15th and makes bogey, dropping to -6. Shortly afterwards the Northern Irishman “reaches” him, in turn author of a huge error from very short distance at 16, the first of the entire season from less than a metre.
Golf: a great Francesca Fiorellini is third at the women’s Italian Open. Amy Taylor wins, Fanali also excellent at the top
See more
Then, at the 18th, another incredible blunder: from perhaps an even shorter distance, the arm trembles and the very short putt ends up wide: -5. DeChambeau, who in the meantime is at -6, finds himself in a forest of branches and leaves at the same hole, from which he emerges with a bunker and a magnificent approach to then be able to take a chance of victory. Which he exploits, with almost excessive celebration to indicate that, after four years, the US Open is his again.
Third place for Cantlay together with a great rider Tony Finau, among the best today and also the author of a -4 overall. The Frenchman manages to hold fifth position Matthieu Pavon, giving great news to France especially in view of the home Olympics. Behind his -3 is the Japanese’s -2 Hideki Matsuyamasixth ahead of the USA duo Russell Henley-Xander Schauffele. And, speaking of the Olympics, ninth place tied with par Corey Conners (together with the Americans Sam Burns and Davis Thompson) qualifies him for Paris 2024 at the expense of Adam Hadwin. 41st at +8 the world number 1 Scottie Scheffler: believe it or not, it is his worst result with a wide gap of 2024, to understand the crazy season he is experiencing.
Francesco Molinari closes with a lap which, given the difficult conditions and the performance of the others, is among the best of the day: a +1 which, however, is not enough to take him beyond 64th place, an authentic den of ex Major champions. In addition to him, in fact, there are Fitzpatrick, Kaymer and Clark (who collapses with a +7). The Italian five-ring race also ends: they go to Paris Matteo Manassero and Guido Migliozzi.
