McIlroy full of praise for DeChambeau

Rory McIlroy was full of praise for fellow U.S. Open Bryson DeChambeau who ended the 120th hosting of the championship as the only player under par at Winged Foot.

McIlroy ended his U.S. Open campaign with a disappointing five-over par 75 to share eighth place at six-over par and trailing a dozen shots back of golf’s ‘Mad Scientist’.

Bryson DeChambeau enjoying his US Open win (Credit: USGA)

McIlroy went into the final round sharing seventh place at one-over and six adrift of Wolff.

The four-time Major winner knew he had to at least match Justin Thomas’ effort of a five-under 65 on Thursday if he was to have any chance of adding a first major title to his CV in six years.

However, all hope vanished when McIlroy doubled the first. He was then four-over for his round with bogeys at four and seven. He did birdie the ninth and 11th hole but gave a shot back with a bogey at 15.

Despite his bad day at the office, McIlroy had time to praise DeChambeau’s US Open efforts.

“I played with Bryson at Colonial the first week back out, and I sort of said, okay, wait until he gets to a proper golf course, he’ll have to rein it back in,” said McIlroy.

“This course is as proper as they come, and look what’s happened. Yeah, he’s got full belief in what he’s doing, and it’s pretty impressive.”

And McIlroy was asked if he was comfortable with the ‘controversial’ steps DeChambeau has taken to become a Major Champion.

“I think it’s brilliant, but I think he’s taken advantage of where the game is at the minute. Look, again, whether that’s good or bad, but it’s just the way it is. With the way he approaches it, with the arm-lock putting, with everything, it’s just where the game’s at right now.”

“I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. He’s just taking advantage of what we have right now.”

McIlroy was heading home for the night before jetting off to Missouri where he and Justin Rose will tackle the all-American duo of Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas in the opening of the Payne’s Valley course.

The course is Woods’ first public-designed lay-out and was named in honour of the late and Missouri-born Payne Stewart.