RORY MCILROY and Bryson DeChambeau left fans in tears with their emotional gestures during the final round of the US Open.
Two of golf’s biggest stars battled to the finish at Pinehurst on Sunday.
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But despite the intensity and tension as they tried to come out on top, they still found time to show their class to a fan.
DeChambeau made a clutch birdie – his first of the final round – to retake the lead on the tenth hole.
And as he marched toward the 11th tee, he stopped to greet a fan in a wheelchair.
DeChambeau then took a pen out of his pocket and signed the disabled golf lover’s cap.
The American then fist-bumped an entire row of fans as he continued to the next hole.
Later in the round, McIlroy also stopped for the same fan.
After a birdie, the Northern Irishman saw the fan and shook his hand, handing him the ball.
The pair actually have a history together, with the fan – named Kyler – dubbed McIlroy’s “lucky charm” when he won the 2022 Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.
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Golf fans who watched the US Open drama on Sunday praised DeChambeau and McIlroy for their brilliant behavior.
One said: “Seriously @b_dechambeau is a legend. It was really beautiful to see.
Another wrote: “Bryson deserves this win for what he did just for the disabled fan! Great guy and played really well the last few days!”
A third added: “Bryson gets his first birdie of the day, retakes the solo lead, then signs a disabled child’s hat and delights all the fans. Since I’m still new to golf, I became a huge fan this weekend.
A fourth commented: “Brilliant Rory. Stopping to shake a disabled fan’s hand despite everything that’s going on.”
A fifth responded: “Touch of class.”
A sixth typed: “This is so special.”
Rory McIlroy’s Professional Achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy has spent more than 100 weeks as world No. 1 – and has won four Majors and won 40 tournaments so far.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched the feat of winning one of the Big Four at age 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Irish ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a summary of the glittering career of the 35-year-old five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the Saudi-backed rival LIV tour:
- 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings at age 17.
I turned pro in September.
Became the youngest affiliate member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 – reached the top 50 worldwide.
- 2010 – Won his first PGA Tour title through the Quail Hollow Championship.
He made a successful Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach earnings of $10 million on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously lost a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But he won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Voted Sports Personality of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – won the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour Player of the Year and went on to further Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 – Signed a major sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year yet, in terms of specialization.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
He then won back-to-back PGA titles, defeating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Personality of the Year for the second time.
Once again he helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Finished the season by winning the Tour championship, placing him atop the FedEx Cup and earning a $10 million bonus.
Suffered defeat in the Ryder Cup.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But he took top 10 places in the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80 million sponsorship deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More joy at the Ryder Cup.
- 2020 Surpassed Brooks Koepka to Become World No. 1
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runner-up in the Masters and third in the Open.
- 2023 – Helped Europe defeat the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled at the start of the season, finishing only 22nd at the Masters.
But then he won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
A seventh posted: “Totally amazing and classy act by DeChambeau leaving the 10th green by stopping and signing a disabled fan’s hat… gotta love him for that!”
And one end user responded: “Rory, this is better than golf, thanks.”
The battle on the course went all the way to the end in a thrilling and action-packed final day at Pinehurst.
McIlroy started the day three shots behind 54-hole leader DeChambeau to lead by two shots at eight-under par with five holes remaining.
However, bogeys on the 15th, 16th and 18th — including two missed par shots from less than four feet — gave DeChambeau the lead again coming down on the 18th.
The American appeared to have missed, going into the pine straw with his drive and then into the bunker with his second.
However, he made the best shot of his career when he lifted the ball out of the sand and placed it less than five feet away.
DeChambeau held on to the courage to reach the cup for a second Major of his career – and extend McIlroy’s long, long wait for a fifth Major.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
