Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau reduce fans to tears with heartwarming gesture in final round of US Open
RORY MCILROY and Bryson DeChambeau left fans in tears with their heartwarming gestures during the final round of the US Open.
Two of golf’s biggest stars battled it out to the very end at Pinehurst on Sunday.
But despite the intensity and tension as they looked to come out on top, they still made time to show their class for a fan.
DeChambeau made a clutch birdie – his first of the final round – to retake the outright lead on the tenth hole.
And as he marched off towards the 11th tee, he stopped to high-five a supporter in a wheelchair.
DeChambeau then dug out a pen from his pocket and signed the disabled golf lover’s cap.
The American then fist-bumped a whole row of his fans as he continued up to the next hole.
Later in the round, McIlroy also stopped for the same supporter.
After a birdie of his own, the Northern Irishman spotted the fan and shook hands with him, giving him his ball.
The pair actually have history together, with the fan – called Kyler – dubbed McIlroy’s “good-luck charm” when he won the Tour Championship in 2022 at East Lake in Atlanta.
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Golf fans watching the US Open drama unfold on Sunday heaped plenty of praise on both DeChambeau and McIlroy for their brilliant behaviour.
One said: “Seriously @b_dechambeau is a legend. That was seriously lovely to see. Brought a tear to my eye.”
Another wrote: “Bryson deserves this win for what he did for the disabled fan alone! Great guy and very well played the last few days!”
A third added: “Bryson gets his first birdie of the day, retakes the solo lead, then signs a disabled kid’s hat and daps up all the fans. As I’m still new to golf, I became a MASSIVE fan this weekend.”
A fourth commented: “Brilliant Rory. Stopping to shake hands with a disabled fan despite all that’s going on.”
A fifth replied: “Touch of class.”
A sixth typed: “This is so special.”
Rory McIlroy's career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
- 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 – reached the world top 50.
- 2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
- 2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
A seventh posted: “Totally awesome and class act by DeChambeau there leaving tenth green by stopping and signing the hat of a disabled fan… gotta love him for it!”
And a final user responded: “Rory, this is better than golf, thank you.”
The battle on the course went right down to the wire in a thrilling, action-packed final day at Pinehurst.
McIlroy started the day three shots behind 54-hole leader DeChambeau to lead by two strokes on eight-under-par with five holes remaining.
However, bogeys on the 15th, 16th and 18th – including two missed par putts from within four feet – gifted DeChambeau the lead again going down the 18th.
The American looked to have messed up, though, going into the pine straw with his drive and then into the bunker with his second.
However, he produced the shot of his career to dig the ball out of the sand and put it to within four feet.
DeChambeau kept his nerve to knock it into the cup for a second Major of his career – and extend heartbroken McIlroy’s long, long wait for a fifth Major.
2 for 2 on Sundays
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 29, 2022@McIlroyRory reunites with his good luck charm, Kyler
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