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.
Rory on the 15th green
McIlroy -9 (14), Scheffler -6 (14)
The pin has been moved to the back of this short par-three 15th but Rory has to attack it regardless. It’s a decent effort that comes to rest 20 feet beneath the hole.
Something has to drop for Rory.
Wonderful shot from Clark
Fowler -6 (13), Clark -11 (13)
Clark has had to wait a while for the green to clear but he’s not putt off one bit. Fairway metal in hand and he chases it up onto the front edge of the green. Fantastic shot and he’ll have a look at eagle.
Fowler goes way left with his shot.
Bogey for McIlroy
McIlroy -9 (14), Scheffler -6 (14)
Scheffler does very well from the bunker to give himself a look at birdie but he can’t convert. That had to go.
McIlroy chips his ball out of the rough to about 10 feet for his par. It feels like a must-make putt at this point and he hasn’t made anything so far today...and that continues. It goes past the right edge and it’s a bogey six.
It could have been much worse but that still feels a massive blow to his chances.
Huge break from Rory
McIlroy -10 (13), Scheffler -6 (13)
Wedge in hand from 120 yards...and it comes up short. McIlroy is hunched over in disbelief. Initially, it looked to be in the bunker but that was Scheffler’s ball. Instead, it has wedged into the face of the bunker. It’s not too dissimilar from Viktor Hovland’s ball in the final round of the US PGA Championship last month.
It’s a huge break for Rory, as just like Viktor last month, he gets a free drop. Massive, massive break.
McIlroy forced to lay up
McIlroy -10 (13), Scheffler -6 (13)
Onto the long par-five 14th and Rory goes left off the tee. He’s in the rough and opts to lay up.
Scottie takes on the green in two but his ends up in the greenside bunker.
Pars for Fowler and Clark
Fowler -6 (13), Clark -11 (13)
Clark does really well to muscle it out from the thick rough and onto the green. It runs out to the opposite side of the green to the flag but it’s a perfectly judged lag putt to secure his par.
Rickie gives himself a good look at birdie from just over 20 feet but he doesn’t hit it and it comes up short.
A couple of pars for these two.
Another solid par for Rory.
McIlroy -10 (13), Scheffler -6 (13)
Scottie is even further away than McIlroy but no problem! Over 50 feet but it turns and falls into the heart of the cup. A wry smile and a clenched fist from the world number one but he still looks too far back as things stand.
McIlroy nurses his putt up there but it falls comfortably short. It’s an easy two-putt, his 12th of the round so far, and he remains at ten under.
Clark in the rough
Fowler -6 (12), Clark -11 (12)
Not the drive Wyndham would have wanted. His natural shot is a fade which isn’t ideal for this hole. He sets it off too far to the left and despite his shouts at the ball to get through, it remains in the left rough.
Fowler finds the left side of the fairway.
Rory safely aboard the 13th
McIlroy -10 (12), Scheffler -5 (12)
Rory takes aim, trying to hook it back in against the breeze, and does so well. He’ll have about 40 feet for a birdie. Scheffler finds the heart of the green as he goes in search of an almighty comeback.
Clark maintains his lead, Rickie drops further back
Fowler -6 (12), Clark -11 (12)
Rickie finds himself in the rough and has to lay up. It’s a really aggressive wedge in and he gets the reward. He’ll have just under 11 feet to save his par but it slides by. His bid to win his first major championship seems to be all but over.
Clark has about 80 yards into this green but takes no chances. He’ll have a lengthy downhill putt from a similar spot to Scheffler moments ago. It’s judged far better than his American counterpart and that will be a par.
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