Bryson DeChambeau explains why his caddie told him off during his final round at the US Open where he beat Rory McIlroy

Add as preferred source on Google

You could definitely make the case that one of the greatest duels in major championship history came during the final round of the US Open in 2024 when Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy battled it out at Pinehurst No. 2.

It was Bryson DeChambeau who won the US Open title in North Carolina. That may not have come as a big surprise to anyone who missed the final round, with the Crushers captain starting the day three shots clear of the chasing pack.

However, there was a two shot swing inside the first four holes, with Rory McIlroy birdieing the first. DeChambeau would bogey the fourth. And by the turn, the gap was just one shot, with the Northern Irishman putting himself in front on the 12th.

In fact, there was a brief moment in the back nine where McIlroy found himself two shots clear of DeChambeau. And, it turns out, that DeChambeau was pretty despondent about his chances.

What Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie told him when he fell two back of Rory McIlroy at the US Open

Speaking on 5 Clubs, DeChambeau shared what his caddie, Gregory Bodine told him when he started to think that he may have too much work to do.

“On the 13th tee box when I saw Rory go two shots ahead of me, and I looked at G Bo and said, ‘oh my gosh, he’s running away’. And he goes, ‘Bryson, you got a bunch of holes left, what are you doing? You can drive this hole and you can make a birdie coming in and you’re just right there, you’re fine’,” he said.

“And so him keeping me in that moment, hitting that three-wood up onto the green was pivotal for me to get back in the right mindset to give myself a chance to win.”

How McIlroy reacted when DeChambeau won the US Open

DeChambeau would indeed birdie the 13th hole. And that birdie would prove to be crucial as McIlroy, of course, made bogey on 16 and 18 to lose by one. The American meanwhile, made a stunning up and down on the last to get across the line.

Few will forget the look on McIlroy’s face when DeChambeau’s victory was confirmed. He appeared to be devastated; knowing just what a phenomenal chance he had to end his decade-long wait for a fifth major title.

It was not the best look, but you could understand why McIlroy immediately decided to leave the course rather than congratulate DeChambeau. It became the moment which largely defined McIlroy’s 2024.

And if he does not win that fifth major, it will probably define a lot more.