Bryson DeChambeau became a two-time major champion on Sunday night after beating Rory McIlroy to the U.S. Open championship in an instant classic – and his win earned him praise from an old rival.
Bryson DeChambeau emerged victorious in a thrilling manner on Sunday evening, securing the U.S. Open championship. In a remarkable showdown, he triumphed over Rory McIlroy, creating an unforgettable moment in golf history. Among the first to extend their congratulations was none other than his long-standing competitor, Brooks Koepka.
With a three-shot lead heading into championship Sunday, DeChambeau’s performance took a turn for the worse, allowing McIlroy, a four-time major champion, to narrow the gap. Soon enough, DeChambeau found himself relinquishing the lead, and a bogey on the 12th hole, coupled with McIlroy’s birdie on the 13th, pushed him two shots behind the new frontrunner.
Despite falling behind, DeChambeau displayed a strategic approach to his game, consistently making par. However, it was his remarkable shot on the 18th hole, rescuing par from an incredibly challenging situation after a poor tee shot, that proved to be the highlight of his performance. As McIlroy faltered with a bogey from a mere three feet away, DeChambeau calmly sank his par putt, securing his second U.S. Open victory and earning him the title of a two-time major champion.
During the festivities, DeChambeau’s long-time competitor Koepka wasted no time in sending a congratulatory message. The renowned LIV Golf star took to Twitter and wrote, “Congratulations on your second US Open victory, welcome to the club!” He made sure to tag DeChambeau, highlighting their shared accomplishment of winning the tournament twice.
These two individuals have quite a history together, marked by a bitter rivalry that dates back to 2019 when they were both part of the PGA Tour. It all began when Koepka expressed his frustration with DeChambeau’s slow play. However, the feud quickly escalated as they exchanged thinly-veiled insults on social media and in the press.
They have resolved their conflict and even took a friendly photo together during a practice round last year. DeChambeau and Koepka will be opponents in the LIV Golf league, but they will have to wait until The Open Championship to compete for a major championship again.
However, DeChambeau believes that his defeated opponent, McIlroy, will have an even stronger desire to put up a fight at Royal Troon after coming so close to ending his major drought on Sunday. During his post-round press conference, DeChambeau stated, “I am certain that it will ignite Rory’s determination even further. He possesses a strong mindset.”
Knowing the quality of my game and the favorable position it is in, I continued to execute my shots with the belief that the statistics would eventually work in my favor. Despite the element of luck in golf, I understood that if I gave my utmost effort on every single shot, I would increase my chances of success. This approach proved effective for me in previous tournaments such as the PGA and the Masters.
Regarding Rory, I am confident that he will secure another major victory in the future. I would relish the opportunity to have more competitive battles with him as it would be an enjoyable experience.
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