The final day of the US Open 2024 was not just a duel between Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy, but for many spectators it was also a duel between the USA and Europe, between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour and ultimately also between a new fan favorite and another Major-disappointment. Because: McIlroy’s final round left most fans with a bad aftertaste in two respects. Golf fans on social media were not only disappointed by the Northern Irishman’s renewed failure, but also by his unsportsmanlike behavior after DeChambeau’s triumph. The latter, on the other hand, was celebrated online.
US Open 2024: Fan Favorite DeChambeau and persistent LIV criticism
After Bryson DeChambeau’s dramatic victory at the US Open 2024, social media was full of congratulations and praise for the 30-year-old, who made a particularly big impression with his incredible bunker shot and the up-and-down on 18. At the press conference, DeChambeau himself spoke of the “shot of his life” and the internet seems to share this opinion. For example, the user ‘Hunter Chandley’ wrote on X (Twitter): “Will go down as one of the best up and downs in golf history. Incredible.”
With shots like these, the LIV golfer not only earns praise, but also makes fans of the PGA Tour like X-user ‘JB Nawrocki’ long for his comeback: “Please come back to the PGA TOUR..that was an incredible up and down!”
The split between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour was also a big topic on social media and generated a lot of discussion. While some fans saw DeChambeau’s triumph as confirmation of the strength of the LIV Tour, others thought the 30-year-old should not have been allowed to take part in the first place. Thomas Cook wrote on X: “Need to get rid of all auto qualifiers for LIV players.”
In addition to clear announcements such as “LIV 1 PGA Tour 0” by Bradley Sherman on X, puns such as “We LIV for this”, “LIV, laugh, love” and “Long LIV King Bryson” also became more frequent. On a dramatic final day, not only did Bryson DeChambeau win his second major title, but LIV Golf once again made a strong case for the strength of the tour. Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, caused disappointment in the social media.
US Open 2024: Fans criticize McIlroy’s unsportsmanlike behavior
While Bryson DeChambeau is increasingly becoming a fan favorite after his victory at the US Open 2024, fans on social media are predominantly criticizing Rory McIlroy and his quick disappearance after the bitter final day defeat. The X-account ‘Pro Golf Weekly’, for example, writes: “Even worse than missing two tap-in pars to lose the US Open, Rory McIlroy refused to shake Bryson DeChambeau’s hand and or congratulate the 2024 champion. He also ignored fans as he burned rubber and left the property. Classless!”
However, the aforementioned putting chances that Rory McIlroy almost missed miserably are also causing a lot of talk online and are already being attributed to the Northern Irishman as a typical failure. McIlroy has now been winless at the majors for ten years and was possibly closer to victory at this year’s US Open than he has been for a long time. X-user ‘indigo spannerworks’ wrote: “That will haunt McIlroy for the rest of his career. Missing 2, 3 ft putts in the last 4 holes is criminal for a pro golfer.”
This opinion was shared by user ‘Franklin Sinclair’ with “As usual Rory threw it away” and ‘Albert NANA’ with “Unbelievable and Heartbreaking So close once again but …”
The US Open 2024 was a tournament that certainly deserved two winners in Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy. But in the end, it was DeChambeau’s nerves of steel that decided the major, while McIlroy failed on the green. The two stars will meet again in just under a month’s time at The Open in Royal Troon, where the Northern Irishman will have another chance to win his first major in ten years.
