US Open: McIlroy's silence speaks volumes as DeChambeau claims second major title

Bryson DeChambeau claimed his second US Open title on Sunday in a dramatic final round at Pinehurst No 2 that will be remembered just as much for Rory McIlroy's late collapse.

The $2.3 million runner-up cheque will be scant consolation for McIlroy, who let slip a two-shot lead with five holes to play, leaving next month's Open Championship as his final chance to avoid his wait for a fifth major stretching into an 11th year.

The Northern Irishman, usually an engaging and candid figure in front of the media, declined to speak with reporters after ending his round with three bogeys in the last four holes and helping hand the victory to DeChambeau.

McIlroy's silence spoke volumes about the agonising nature of a defeat which meant the world No 2 had to settle for his 21st top-10 major finish since last winning a major at the 2014 PGA Championship.

After a bogey at the par-3 15th cut his lead to one, McIlroy lipped out on a par putt from 2.5 feet at the par-4 16th to leave him level with DeChambeau in a battle of golf juggernauts on one of golf's most pressure-packed stages.

Still deadlocked at the par-4 18th, McIlroy missed a putt from just inside four feet for a bogey that dropped him one behind DeChambeau. The missed putts were McIlroy's first from inside of five feet in the round.

DeChambeau needed to par the last to win and was in the dirt and weeds left, but he wedged into a greenside bunker then blasted to four feet and, in contrast to McIlroy, made his clutch putt for the triumph.

Television cameras captured McIlroy watching as DeChambeau sank the winning putt.

As the crowd roared and DeChambeau began to celebrate, McIlroy stared ahead for a few seconds then turned and walked away with caddie Harry Diamond.

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