DeChambeau’s Clutch Bunker Save Clinches U.S. Open Victory
Bryson DeChambeau won his second U.S. Open title with a dramatic up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole, edging Rory McIlroy by a single stroke at Pinehurst No. 2.
Facing a difficult sand shot with the championship hanging in the balance, DeChambeau splashed out to about 6 feet and then calmly rolled in the par putt that secured the victory. It’s the kind of moment players dream about – needing to get up-and-down to win a major.
The win at Pinehurst marks DeChambeau’s second U.S. Open championship, adding to his 2020 triumph at Winged Foot. What makes this victory different is how he managed to conquer one of golf’s most demanding tests with both power and touch.
McIlroy, seeking to end his decade-long major drought, pushed DeChambeau to the limit throughout Sunday’s final round. The Northern Irishman’s quest for a fifth major championship will have to wait, as his runner-up finish adds another heartbreaking chapter to his recent major championship near-misses.
The tournament ultimately came down to DeChambeau’s ability to execute under extreme pressure. That final bunker shot – requiring both precision and nerve – perfectly encapsulated why he’s now a multiple major champion.
