Four-time major champion Ernie Els has pinpointed one 'terrible' error in particular during Rory McIlroy's horror finish at this summer's US Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
McIlroy came as close as he ever has to ending his 10-year wait for a fifth major crown, leading the event by two shots with just five holes to play in North Carolina. What followed however was a tough watch for any McIlroy fan, as he went on to bogey three of the last four holes.
This allowed his LIV Golf rival Bryson DeChambeau to swoop in and win his home Open for the second time in his career, ending the championship just one shot clear of a heartbroken McIlroy in second.
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The way in which McIlroy finished the tournament back in June has been questioned by many, with two short putts, and two club choices in particular gaining the most attention. This had been highlighted by Els, who focused on McIlroy's tactics at the final hole.
A par at the last would have put McIlroy in a playoff with DeChambeau, but an errant drive off the tee - having hit three-wood all week - forced him to lay up, before failing to get up and down from the fairway. Els believes his third shot into the green in particular was a poor move.
"He hit the wrong club at 15,” Els told MyGolfSpy ahead of this week's Presidents Cup in Montreal. “Driver was the wrong play on 18. He could have hit a 2-iron off the tee. And then to hit his pitch too hard and be above the hole, that was a terrible leave.”
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for McIlroy, having gone through arguably the hardest near-miss at a major since his last triumph at the PGA Championship in 2014. “It’s not going to get easier, that’s for sure,” Els commented. “Pinehurst, that is going to sting for a long time.
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"Mentally, we’re going to have to see. When that little bit of doubt creeps in, it’s hard to get it out. I’ve been there many times. You beat yourself up.” Since McIlroy has openly revealed things have proven tough in recent months, especially after adding to his Sunday woes at the Olympic Games, Irish Open, and last week's BMW PGA Championship.
"I'm getting used to it unfortunately this year," McIlroy said of his near-misses after losing out to Billy Horschel in a playoff at Wentworth last Sunday. "Hopefully the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories," he went on.
"I must say, that roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool. The support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing. I certainly don't take it for granted. I had to try to keep my composure walking up to the 18th green there. Wish I could play in front of those fans and this atmosphere every week.
"From where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it's a step in the right direction. You know, if anything, it just whets my appetite even more for Portrush [the Open Championship] next year."
