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.
Clark and Fowler par the third
Fowler -9 (3), Clark -10 (3)
Fowler and Clark hit some very decent wedge shots into the third and they will have birdie efforts from a similar range to McIlroy. Fowler’s effort is tame and dies to the right and comes up short. Clark gets a good read but his just misses on the left-hand side.
A pair of pars for the final duo.
Three in a row for Morikawa
Morikawa -5 (10)
The two-time major champion fought back well on Friday to make the cut and he’s now up into the top five after three birdies in as many holes at 8, 9 and 10.
Some positive signs perhaps coming from the American who has endured a quiet season by his lofty standards.
Pars for McIlroy and Scheffler at the third
McIlroy -10 (3), Scheffler -7 (3)
This third pin is tucked away but McIlroy has had success on this hole in rounds two and three. He gives himself another great look as his wedge spins back to about 11 feet. It’s a slippery putt down the slope but it just rolls by. A confident par putt in the end and he remains in a tie for the lead.
Scheffler has a look from a bit further back but his just misses on the left side. Another near-miss with the putter for Scheffler - how many times will we be saying that over the course of today?
Clark and Fowler bogey second
Fowler -9 (2), Clark -10 (2)
Clark’s second ends up in a similar spot to McIlroy. Rory nursed it down brilliantly but Clark gets his stuck on the ridge in the middle of the green and he has plenty to do for his par now. He’s putted well this week but this one goes astray and he gives a shot back straight away after his birdie on the first
Fowler’s second flew into the rough and, despite hacking out well, he still has 13 feet for his par. It dies before he hole and that will be a bogey for him too.
Not the ideal start for this final pairing.
Fleetwood denied history at the last
Fleetwood -5 (63)
He needed a birdie at the last to equal the lowest record in US Open history and he sets up a great chance with a superb iron into the last! He’s got just under seven feet for the birdie...but he shoves it wide. A horrible, nervy putt from the Englishman and he is denied a spot alongside Fowler and Schauffele in the history books.
A great round of 63 has him up in fifth but that will no doubt sting for Fleetwood.
Pars for McIlroy and Scheffler
McIlroy -10 (2), Scheffler -7 (2)
Two fairways and greens found in regulation for these two. McIlroy’s putt is from quite some distance but he judges it brilliantly in from the left and that is a tap in par.
Scheffler has a good look at birdie but it’s a bad stroke in all honestly and it dies comfortably short of the hole.
Nightmare start for English
English -4 (2), Johnson -4 (2)
Harris English was so solid yesterday on the front nine but it’s the complete opposite today. He goes way right off the tee again and has to lay up. It goes from bad to worse as he ends up off the green after four shots. It’s a double-bogey six and that could be fatal for his chances.
Johnson also makes bogey and he too drops back to four under.
Clark leads by one
Fowler -10 (1), Clark -11 (1)
As suspected, Rickie has to lay up out of the thick rough. His third shot in creates an opening for birdie but his effort dies to the right and he’ll have to settle for par.
Clark’s adrenaline must be going as he fires one a bit long on the first but the rough isn’t too thick and he’s able to pitch it up close. He converts for a birdie and moves into a solo lead at the top.
Good par save for Fleetwood
Fleetwood -5 (17)
He flies his birdie attempt past the hole but it’s a nerveless return putt to save his par. Can he find an unlikely birdie on the last to equal the lowest round in US Open history, set by Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele on Thursday?
McIlroy into a share of the lead
McIlroy -10 (1), Scheffler -7 (1)
Scheffler can only hack out into the rough again after his drive and leaves himself with a lengthy look at birdie from across the green. It gets close and almost threatens to go in but just misses on the right side and it will be an opening-hole par for the American.
Rory plays the percentage play and fires his second right into the heart of this first green. It’s about 30 feet for eagle...just left! A really good putt and a tap-in birdie. He moves into a share of the lead.
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