Bryson DeChambeau makes Rory McIlroy claim after golfer storms out of US Open

Bryson DeChambeau had nothing but positive things to say about Rory McIlroy in the aftermath of another major heartache. 

DeChambeau clinched the 2024 US Open on Sunday evening at Pinehurst No.2 after an afternoon of high drama. 

McIlroy's critics will argue he choked again, given he had a two-shot lead with five holes to play. 

The 35-year-old Northern Irishman overhauled DeChambeau's three-shot overnight deficit but missed par putts within four feet at the 16th and 18th which derailed his chances in devastating fashion. 

DeChambeau clinched his second major title with a nerveless four-futt putt that was set up by one of the most remarkable 50-yard escapes from a bunker in recent memory. 

McIlroy could not believe his eyes and his expression in the scorer's hut said it all. 

He decided not to stick around to congratulate the American LIV Golf player and declined any media interviews. 

"Rory is one of the best ever to play," DeChambeau told reporters. 

"Being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special. For him to miss that putt, I'd never wish it on anybody. It just happened to play out that way."

He added: "He'll win multiple more major championships. There's no doubt. I think that fire in him is going to continue to grow. 

"I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf because, to be honest, when he was climbing up the leaderboard, he was two ahead, I was like, 'Uh-oh, uh-oh.' 

"But luckily things went my way."

McIlroy will have one more chance to end his major drought in 2024 at next year's Open Championship at Royal Troon. 

How he responds from this setback is anyone's guess. 

Given what we have seen before, McIlroy will dust himself down and be ready to go. 

"Rory is going to do it," DeChambeau added. 

"I'd love to have a lot more battles with him. It would be a lot of fun. But, yeah, Rory's going to do it at some point."

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