Rory McIlroy going back on his word helped lead to US Open loss

Rory McIlroy will face sleepless nights over his misses on Sunday

Rory McIlroy, in a surprising move, didn't follow his own advice on the tee of the 72nd hole at this week's US Open, resulting in a heartbreaking loss to Bryson DeChambeau by just one shot.

McIlroy had put himself in an ideal position to win his first major championship since 2014, having established a two-shot lead with only five holes left to play at Pinehurst No. 2.

However, he faltered on the final stretch, bogeying the 15th and 16th - which included a missed putt from less than three-feet.

Despite the shaky run, the Northern Irishman - who was a group ahead of DeChambeau - was still tied for the lead at six-under with one hole left when he approached the 18th tee box.

To many people's surprise, McIlroy chose to hit driver at the last, something he hadn't done in the previous three rounds as he had played three-wood throughout the tournament. The subsequent drive missed left, putting the 35-year-old in a difficult position in the Pinehurst rough.

McIlroy was forced to punch his effort out of the native area down the left, leaving him short of the green. He then played a solid chip shot onto the putting surface, leaving him just under six-feet for par.

Having missed a short one two holes earlier, the same fate befell him at 18, and this proved costly.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here.

DeChambeau managed to outshine McIlroy by hitting a driver down the left and pulling off an impressive bunker shot to get up-and-down, ultimately clinching the trophy. McIlroy's missed putts on the short side will likely haunt him, and perhaps his decision on the 18th tee shot as well.

Earlier in the week, the PGA Tour star confessed that his strategy was to play 'boring golf' to secure his fifth major championship. "Honestly, embracing what I would have called 'boring' back in the day," said the 2011 US Open winner before the event.

"Explosiveness isn't going to win a U.S. Open. It's more methodically building your score over the course of four days and being okay with that. Honestly, it's just more of a reframing of a mindset than anything else."

If McIlroy had focused on the basics, things could be very different this morning.

After DeChambeau sunk the winning putt, a dejected McIlroy was seen when he went to sign his card. Following the event, the four-time major winner chose not to engage with the media and quickly left the Pinehurst site.

With the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands coming up next week, the 35-year-old doesn't have much time to regroup.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.