It was a case of so near and yet so far for Rory McIlroy, as the World Number One’s bid for a fifth Major title came up just short on the final day of the US Open Championship.
Ultimately, a closing round of 66 for a level par aggregate total was scant reward for a display which, at least from tee to green, verged on the sensational.
Roars rang around Chambers Bay on another sun-soaked day in Seattle, as McIlroy marched up the leaderboard courtesy of three birdies on the front nine.
When he made three more gains after the turn, it looks as though McIlroy would set an imposing clubhouse target for the leaders to reach, only for a brace of bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes to halt his momentum.
When a long birdie chance went begging at the final hole, McIlroy knew the game was up but the brilliance of his ball-striking bodes well for his next two events, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and The Open Championship.
He said: “I really thought when I held that long putt on the 13th, with 16 and 18 coming up, I could post a number. If I could birdie those two holes coming in and get to four under par, then I thought I would have a really great chance – especially with the way the greens are getting so baked out there today. It would have been a number for the guys to really think about.
“I felt I hit a good shot on the 15th, but it just came up short. And then the 17th killed me. The last few holes of this golf course haven’t been kind to me all week, and when I look back at this tournament that’s where I’ll rue some missed opportunities.
“I feel like it’s one that got away, especially the way I putted this week. I don’t think I’ve ever hit the ball as well over all four days of a Major Championship, which obviously bodes well for the next few events and the rest of the season.”
