McIlroy held a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau with just five holes remaining, but three bogeys in his last four holes saw him fall short. Two of those bogeys were particularly harsh, as he missed two short putts for par - including one on the 18th. This slip-up allowed LIV Golf's DeChambeau to seize the opportunity and win by a single shot.

As DeChambeau made a putt from around four feet to secure the tournament, McIlroy could only look on in despair, having already completed his round. After the ball found its mark, McIlroy retreated to the locker room with his caddie.

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The European Ryder Cup star appeared on the brink of tears after yet another major slipped through his fingers. Since his fourth major victory at the 2014 US PGA Championship, McIlroy has come second or tied second at four major championships.

He has been the runner-up in consecutive US Opens and has achieved 21 top-10 finishes at majors since his last major victory. Despite being one of the world's top golfers - and most consistent - McIlroy seems unable to clinch the big wins.

McIlroy made a swift exit from Pinehurst No. 2, bypassing the presentation ceremony and avoiding any media interaction. It's believed he returned home to Florida before the end of the night.

In stark contrast, a jubilant Bryson DeChambeau took the opportunity to address the crowd. The US Open victor, who previously clinched the title in 2020, expressed his sentiments: "Well, first off I want to say happy father's day to every father out there. Unfortunately my dad passed a couple of years ago and this one's for him."

DeChambeau also honoured the memory of Payne Stewart, the two-time US Open champion who tragically died in a plane crash shortly after securing his second victory in 1999. He added another personal note: "Also to Payne Stewart, he was the reason I went to SMU (Southern Methodist University), he was the reason I wore the cap. Pony up, that's right."

The American golfer didn't miss the chance to acknowledge the overwhelming support he received throughout the tournament. Having become a fan favourite over recent months, partly due to his successful YouTube channel with more than 700,000 subscribers, DeChambeau showed his appreciation.

He concluded with heartfelt thanks: "I just can't thank you guys enough for all the support this week. You guys have meant the world to me. You guys are the best fans in the world and I can't thank you enough, what a group of people."