2024 U.S. Open Recap

The 2024 United States Open concluded at Pinehurst (N.C.) No. 2 this past Sunday, and when the dust settled, fans weren’t sure if one player won the title or another just flat-out lost it. Perhaps a combination of both.

There was a final-round battle between Rory McIlroy, trying to put an end to a decade-long drought in the majors, and Bryson DeChambeau, going after his second U.S. Open title.

The pair was not playing together in the final round, but it soon became obvious they were going to decide the outcome, one way or another.

McIlroy caught and passed DeChambeau, eventually two shots to the good with just four holes remaining. He then went on to miss two putts, each within four feet. McIlroy had been perfect with those ‘shorties’ all year long, but Heimiched when it mattered.

DeChambeau, now with the door ajar, produced one of the best shots of his life to win by a single shot. He finished at a six-under par 264, and a $4.3 million pay envelope as well.

McIlroy finished second at the U.S. Open in consecutive seasons, and it’s anyone’s guess if he blew his last legit shot at another (fifth) major.

DeChambeau also won this event in 2020. He finished second in this season’s PGA Championship as well. He will now return to the LIV Tour, returning to competing at the Open Championship (see below).

McIlroy Exits Quickly

The self-inflicted agony of Rory McIlroy. After missing two ‘gimmes’ and leaving the Bryson DeChambeau door open, McIlroy was relegated to watching the final hole inside a scoring tent. Cameras showed him emotionless as DeChambeau sank his putt.

McIlroy did set the land-speed record when it came to getting out of Dodge. As DeChambeau celebrated on the course, McIlroy had already boarded a jet back to Florida.

McIlroy, unwilling to take any questions after the tournament, made a social-media statement Monday, addressing his disappointment.

If you’re looking ahead to such things, the 2025 U,S. Open is at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club.

Others Struggled Mightily

The haunting final few holes of Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open overshadowed other poor performances, With the cutline set at five-over, 15-time major champion Tiger Woods (74, 73) was gone at seven-under, while Phil Mickelson (79, 76, +15) was done, too.

Other players such as Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland (+6) also were toast. Thomas ended his first round with a 77, one shot better than Hovland\, who couldn’t recover after a 78.

There was world No, 1 Scottie Scheffler, who did make the cut but ended +8 (T-41st). Starting as the prohibitive favorite to win at Pinehurst, Scheffler couldn’t get anything going in career-worst four consecutive rounds over par.

Off to Troon

The last of the majors is next month’s Open Championship, July 18th-thru-21st at Royal Troon in Scotland. Odds are out, and once again, it’s Scottie Scheffler at 7-2 (+350), according to Open Championship odds.

He is the overwhelming favorite, despite a 72 holes to forget at the Open Championship. What to do about Rory McIlroy? After choking away the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, he’s a sentimental ‘hometown’ choice at 8-1 (+800) a decade after his win at Royal Liverpool.

DeChambeau is third choice on the board at 11-1 (+1100).

If you’re a fan/believer, Brian Harman, winner (by six shots) of the ‘23 Open (also at Royal Liverpool), is a 50-1 (+5000) proposition to successfully defend his Claret Jug.

All the current (and some future) tournament wagering is available through golf odds.