Rory McIlroy concluded a difficult US Open campaign at Oakmont Country Club with a respectable final-round 67, his lowest score of the tournament.
The Northern Irishman struggled throughout the week and finished tied for 19th place on seven over par.
His improved Sunday performance, which included hitting 11 of 14 fairways, came too late to mount a serious challenge for the title.
The 36-year-old’s efforts earned him $267,054 (£196,000) from the tournament’s $21.5million (£16m) prize fund.
Rory McIlroy concluded a difficult US Open campaign at Oakmont Country Club with a respectable final-round 67, his lowest score of the tournament
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McIlroy had spent much of the opening two days battling to make the cut before finding better form off the tee in his closing round.
JJ Spaun claimed victory at Oakmont with a dramatic finish that denied Robert MacIntyre a historic major triumph.
The American produced two exceptional birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to secure the title and the $4.3m (£3.1m) winner’s cheque.
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Rory McIlroy was unable to challenge JJ Spaun for glory at the US Open
GETTY
His late surge proved decisive as MacIntyre waited in the scorer’s office, level with Spaun before those final two holes.
The victory marked a significant moment for Spaun, who had previously lost to McIlroy in a play-off at The Players Championship in March.
MacIntyre’s wait in the scorer’s office ended in disappointment as Spaun’s closing birdies denied the Scot what would have been his country’s first major championship since 1999.
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The runner-up finish still represented a significant achievement for MacIntyre, who collected around £1.7m for his efforts.
Had Spaun failed to birdie either of his final two holes, MacIntyre would have forced a play-off and kept alive hopes of ending a 26-year drought for Scottish golfers in major championships.
Instead, he was left to rue what might have been after coming agonisingly close to golf’s ultimate prize at Oakmont.
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McIlroy confirmed he will participate in next week’s Travelers Championship before taking a break ahead of The Open Championship.
The five-time major winner expressed hope that his improved final round at Oakmont would provide momentum for July’s championship at Royal Portrush.
JJ Spaun won the US Open on Sunday by playing some outstanding golf
REUTERS
The Northern Irishman’s three-under 67 on Sunday marked a significant improvement from his earlier struggles in Pennsylvania.
After spending two days fighting to survive the cut, McIlroy found his rhythm off the tee when it mattered least.
