21 June 2024 , 02:00
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Bryson DeChambeau had Rory McIlroy's respect and his own integrity in mind as he set out to win the US Open in North Carolina last weekend.
DeChambeau clinched his second major championship in four years at Pinehurst No. 2, edging out McIlroy by a single shot in a thrilling final-round showdown. McIlroy was playing in the group ahead of DeChambeau alongside Patrick Cantlay, while the eventual champion was paired with Matthieu Pavon.
Pavon started the final round level with McIlroy and Cantlay, and three shots behind DeChambeau, but couldn't keep up the pace during a dramatic final 18 holes. In the group ahead, McIlroy's bogey on the final hole meant DeChambeau needed a par at 18 to secure the title.
After finding trouble down the left off the tee, the LIV Golf star was forced to lay up into a bunker, before playing one of the shots of his career to leave him a putt for the win. Meanwhile, Pavon had hit the green in two, leaving him a putt for birdie and to tie third with Cantlay and Tony Finau at four-under. However, he left his birdie attempt short, and in doing so left himself a couple of feet short, inside DeChambeau's par putt.
After hitting his effort, the Frenchman went on to mark his ball, which didn't sit well with a large section of the Pinehurst crowd, who felt Pavon was denying DeChambeau of his crowning moment. However, DeChambeau was seen calming down the crowd, before standing over his ball.
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He nailed the putt, clinched the title, and while Pavon settled for par amidst the jubilation, DeChambeau later comforted the European player, affirming his sportsmanship was crucial for maintaining the event's integrity. If Pavon had taken the putt and sunk it, he could have inadvertently given DeChambeau a read on the green for a winning putt - something he felt wouldn't have been fair to McIlroy.
Bryson DeChambeau holed the winning putt before the tournament was technically over due to Matthieu Pavon still needing to putt (GETTY)Recounting the tense finale on the ForePlay podcast, Pavon shared: "When we got to the side, I said 'Bryson I am really sorry dude, I should have probably finished it'. But he said 'Dude you have done the right thing' It is important for you and you have done the right call'."
Pavon relayed further: "[DeChambeau] said 'Thanks for not doing it because you would have shown me the line and I think it is not fair for Rory and I do not want to win it that way'." Post-victory, DeChambeau is already gearing up for his next LIV Golf event in Nashville.
On the flip side, Pavon is diving back into PGA Tour life, competing in the season's final Signature Event at the Travelers Championship. Following his close call, McIlroy has decided to bypass the TPC River Highlands tournament, planning his comeback at the Scottish Open next month.