US Open leaderboard LIVE: Golf result and reaction as Rory McIlroy outduelled by Wyndham Clark
Rory McIlroy loses by a single shot to suprise winner Wyndham Clark on dramatic final day
Rory McIlroy’s major golf heartbreak continued as he narrowly missed out on US Open glory, beaten by a single stroke by unheralded American Wyndham Clark at Los Angeles Country Club.
Clark’s previous best performance at a major was a tie for 75th at the 2021 PGA Championship, yet he held his nerve like a seasoned pro to grind out victory on 10-under with a round of 70 after four birdies and four bogeys.
He was three strokes clear after 14 holes and appeared to be cruising to glory, before bogeys at 15 and 16 gave the chasing McIlroy a sniff. However, the Northern Irishman was simply unable to make a putt all day as a lone birdie on the 1st was cancelled out by a bogey at 14 for an uninspired round of 70, which meant pars at 17 and 18 were enough for 29-year-old Clark to add his name to the long list of US Open winners.
McIlroy’s major drought now stands at nine years and his quiet Sunday with the putter was reminiscent of last year’s Open at St Andrew’s when he couldn’t reel in a catchable Cameron Smith – who incidentally finished fourth in Los Angeles on -6 after an impressive final-day 67. All the other contenders for the title heading into the day faded badly as Rickie Fowler (75) and Scottie Scheffler (70) never mounted a serious challenge, although Tommy Fleetwood’s brilliant 63 enabled him to end in a tie for fifth on five-under.
Relive all the action from the final round of the 123rd US Open below.
Scheffler finishes off
Scheffler -7 (70)
In all the chaos, Scottie Scheffler fought back well to end with an even-par round of 70.
That’s nine top 10s in his last 11 major starts - relentless stuff from the world number one.
Clark on the fairway
Clark -10 (17)
One hole stands between Wyndham Clark and the history books.
He’s underway at the last and he’s on the fairway. In the fading sunlight, he can’t see where it ended up but it’s safe and that’s all that matters for him.
McIlroy makes par, Clark needs par to win
McIlroy -9 (70)
It will be about 40 feet for McIlroy for the unlikeliest of birdies at the last...not to be.
It’s another good roll but it just dives to the left at the end.
A par for Clark at the last wins it.
Clark leads by one heading up the last
Clark -10 (17)
Another glorious scramble from Clark around the green who knocks the chip to tap-in territory.
If Rory misses his birdie putt, Clark just needs a par to win the US Open.
Outside chance of birdie for Rory on 18
McIlroy -9 (17), Scheffler -7 (17)
186 yards for Rory into this 18th green. He pulls away from the ball initially but refocuses...it’s pin high but left by quite some way. That will be a huge ask to make that for birdie.
Scheffler, meanwhile, hits a lovely approach shot over the pin and will have a good look at birdie
Clark misses green right on 17
Clark -10 (16)
It’s not an overly positive reaction from Clark as the ball takes flight and it’s leaked out a bit to the right of the green. He should have a clean look the pin to get down for his par, though.
US Open 2023: Can McIlroy catch Clark?
The tension has ramped up to unbearable levels. Can Rory McIlroy snatch the most improbable of victories?
McIlroy down the fairway on 18
McIlroy -9 (17)
Down the last, with the sun setting into his face, McIlroy pipes one down the middle. He’s got to be thinking birdie.
Clark on the fairway
Clark -10 (16)
The penultimate drive of the day for Clark. He yells for it to get down but it’s fine and pulls up short of the bunker.
What can McIlroy do on the hole ahead?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments