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US Open leaderboard LIVE: Golf result and reaction as Rory McIlroy outduelled by Wyndham Clark

Rory McIlroy loses by a single shot to suprise winner Wyndham Clark on dramatic final day

Ben Fleming
Monday 19 June 2023 02:16 EDT
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Rory McIlroy’s major golf heartbreak continued as he narrowly missed out on US Open glory, beaten by a single stroke by unheralded American Wyndham Clark at Los Angeles Country Club.

Clark’s previous best performance at a major was a tie for 75th at the 2021 PGA Championship, yet he held his nerve like a seasoned pro to grind out victory on 10-under with a round of 70 after four birdies and four bogeys.

He was three strokes clear after 14 holes and appeared to be cruising to glory, before bogeys at 15 and 16 gave the chasing McIlroy a sniff. However, the Northern Irishman was simply unable to make a putt all day as a lone birdie on the 1st was cancelled out by a bogey at 14 for an uninspired round of 70, which meant pars at 17 and 18 were enough for 29-year-old Clark to add his name to the long list of US Open winners.

McIlroy’s major drought now stands at nine years and his quiet Sunday with the putter was reminiscent of last year’s Open at St Andrew’s when he couldn’t reel in a catchable Cameron Smith – who incidentally finished fourth in Los Angeles on -6 after an impressive final-day 67. All the other contenders for the title heading into the day faded badly as Rickie Fowler (75) and Scottie Scheffler (70) never mounted a serious challenge, although Tommy Fleetwood’s brilliant 63 enabled him to end in a tie for fifth on five-under.

Relive all the action from the final round of the 123rd US Open below.

Final round pins

A quick reminder of the pin locations for today - the third and seventh remain tucked again. There’s a small change in the driveable sixth too, so that will be one to watch out for.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:51

McIlroy’s date with destiny

McIlroy (-9), Scheffler (-7) - 22:19pm BST

If you’d told the world in 2014 that Rory McIlroy would not win another major for nine years, they would have booked you in for a brain examination.

But years later, after several close calls and near misses, here we are. His opportunity last year at St Andrews was a golden one but was ripped from him by the excellent Cam Smith. Now, less than a year on, he has another golden opportunity at LACC.

Don’t count out his playing partner Scottie Scheffler, though. The American is world number one for a reason and a late flurry last night has him four back at seven under. He’s struggled with the putter all week but if he gets it going, he may well make history of his own.

These two get underway in around half an hour.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:47

Low amateur

Sargent +4 (69)

Gordon Sargent is just 20 years old but he hits the ball a mighty far way. His par putt on the last inexplicably bounces back out of the cup meaning it will be a one-under-par round of 69.

Four over par for the tournament and the American is the low am here at this year’s US Open.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:40

The thoughts of Justin Thomas

The two-time major champion had a round to forget on Friday but will be eagerly watching from his sofa (I presume). He fancies fellow American Rickie Fowler to get the job done:

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:32

Rahm inside top ten

Rahm -3 (11)

A superb tee shot into the long 11th sets up another look for Rahm. Having missed a tiddler on the tenth, the Spaniard makes no mistake this time to move to three under par for the tournament and creep inside the top ten.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:30

Chance goes begging for Fleetwood

Fleetwood -4 (12)

The Englishman catches a good break with a bounce from his iron approach into twelve but it sets up a good look at birdie. It slides by though and he remains at four under.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:28

Are Johnson and English too far back?

English (-6), Johnson (-5) - 22:08pm BST

With a little over an hour till the final pairing gets underway, let’s take a look at the contenders. The third final pair sees Harris English and Dustin Johnson together again. They are quite some distance back at six and five under respectively, but we’ve seen low scores on this front nine today so there’s plenty out there to suggest that either one could make a surge up the leaderboard.

Harris English, in particular, shot a two-under-par 33 on the front nine yesterday and will be after more of that today.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:22

Yet another birdie for Fleetwood

Fleetwood -4 (11)

Where was this all week, Tommy? A delightful tee shot into long par-three 11th leaves him with a cracking look at birdie and he takes full advantage. Up to four under par for the tournament now.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:15

Back-to-back birdies for Rahm

Rahm -2 (9)

The world number two makes the turn at two under for the tournament after another birdie at nine. Four under par for the day - very good.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 21:09

Fleetwood into the top ten

Fleetwood -3 (9)

The latest to produce a stellar outing on the front nine is Fleetwood who rolls in a ten-footer at the ninth to make the turn in 30. He’s now sitting in a tie for tenth as things stand.

Ben Fleming18 June 2023 20:54

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