Major champion reveals ‘terrible’ mistake Rory McIlroy made that led to US Open heartbreak

Rory McIlroy’s hopes of securing his first major championship in a decade were dashed at the 2024 US Open, where a series of missteps on the final holes cost him the title. Leading by two strokes with just five holes to play, McIlroy’s performance unraveled as he bogeyed three of the last four holes.

According to four-time major champion Ernie Els, a key factor in McIlroy’s downfall was a “terrible” decision on the 18th hole, where he opted to use a driver off the tee instead of a safer 2-iron, ultimately leading to a missed opportunity for a playoff against Bryson DeChambeau. DeChambeau capitalized on McIlroy’s errors, securing his second US Open victory by a narrow margin.

Els’ critique emphasized McIlroy’s tactical choices in the closing stages, especially the aggressive play at the 15th and 18th holes, which resulted in poor positioning and costly mistakes. Reflecting on McIlroy’s final shot, Els pointed out that a more conservative approach could have avoided the disastrous finish. This heartbreak is one of several near-misses for McIlroy in recent months, compounding his frustrations after similar

disappointments at the Olympic Games, the Irish Open, and the BMW PGA Championship. As McIlroy continues to chase his next major win, the mental toll of these close calls raises questions about how he will recover and refocus in future tournaments.