Sir Nick Faldo explains what he’s ‘worried’ could happen to Rory McIlroy after missed putt on the last at Pinehurst

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Sir Nick Faldo has shared his concern for Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman missed two short putts to throw away the US Open.

Rory McIlroy more than played his part in an unbelievable final day at Pinehurst No. 2, with the Northern Irishman starting the day three shots behind Bryson DeChambeau.

McIlroy got off to a flying start by making a birdie on the first, and it seemed that his putter was finally ready to turn up after a week in the 35-year-old had driven the ball supremely.

The pressure meanwhile, seemed to be getting to DeChambeau who, at one stage, found himself two shots back of McIlroy.

Sir Nick Faldo fears for Rory McIlroy after US Open agony

However, the drama really started in the final three holes, with McIlroy initially missing a short putt on the 16th. And unfortunately, that was not the last time the four-time major champion would falter on the greens.

McIlroy had another short putt on the last to set the clubhouse lead at -6, but he never looked confident, setting up to set the ball on a line well outside the left of the cup, and ultimately allowing it to drift right.

DeChambeau was able to take advantage, winning by one after an absolutely incredible bunker shot on the last to set up a par.

And speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 16/6; 23:30), Sir Nick Faldo suggested that those mistakes will follow McIlroy for the rest of his career.

“I’m worried that is going to haunt Rory for the rest of his life, those two misses. He’s made four or five beautiful putts. It was like it was off the bottom of the blade and came out a bit weak,” he said.

McIlroy now needs to evoke memories of 2011 US Open

McIlroy has never got closer to winning a major title since his most recent victory a decade ago, and he will need no-one to tell him how costly those mistakes in the final three holes were.

It is tough to see where he goes from here, as he will probably never have a better opportunity, having led deep into the back nine.

He arguably needs a performance like the one he produced at the 2011 US Open off the back of what happened at The Masters earlier that year.

It seems essential now that McIlroy puts things right at the earliest opportunity as he must really be starting to wonder whether he will ever add a fifth major title.