SAD NEWS: Rory McIlroy Banned for criminal action, went back on his own word and it cost him US Open

Rory McIlroy looked set to end his 10-year wait for a fifth major championship title, but the Northern Irishman fell short following an agonising end to his final round

Rory McIlroy opted to not follow his own advice when stood on the tee of the 72nd hole at this week’s U.S. Open, going on to agonisingly lose the title by just one shot to Bryson DeChambeau.

McIlroy put himself in the perfect position to win his first major championship since 2014, having opened up a two-shot lead with just five holes to play at Pinehurst No. 2. It proved to be a final stretch to forget though, after bogeying the 15th and 16th – which included a missed putt from inside three-feet.

Despite the stuttered run, the Northern Irishman – who was a group ahead of DeChambeau – was still in a tie for the lead at six-under with one hole to play when making his way to the 18th tee box.

To the surprise of many though, McIlroy opted to hit driver at the last, something he had not done in the previous three rounds having played three-wood throughout the tournament. The following drive missed left, leaving the 35-year-old in all sorts of bother 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 went on to play 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 then followed at 18, and this would cost him dearly.