Scott Van Pelt Slams Rory McIlroy’s ‘Classless’ Exit from US Open: A Legacy Tarnished?

Scott Van Pelt Slams Rory McIlroy’s ‘Classless’ Exit from US Open: A Legacy Tarnished?

In a heated segment on ESPN’s SportsCenter, host Scott Van Pelt did not hold back in his criticism of Rory McIlroy’s abrupt departure from the US Open following his second-place finish to Bryson DeChambeau. Van Pelt labeled the move as “classless” and pointed to it as a moment that will haunt the five-time major winner’s legacy.

McIlroy’s Heartbreaking Finish

Sunday’s final round at Pinehurst No. 2 was set to be a defining moment for McIlroy. A chance to end his decade-long major drought seemed within reach, only to be cruelly snatched away as he bogeyed three of the last four holes. Missing two crucial short putts on the 16th and 18th holes sealed his fate, allowing DeChambeau to claim victory with a 6-under par.

Van Pelt’s Candid Critique

Van Pelt, while acknowledging his admiration for McIlroy, did not mince words about the golfer’s decision to leave without addressing the media. “Rory is one of my very favorite people in the sport for a lot of different reasons. One, he’s a thinker and he answers things thoughtfully. He’s also a great champion. And today, understandably, a bitter pill, a chance to end this major list drought, and it slips away as it did,” Van Pelt remarked.

Historical Comparisons

Drawing parallels with historical collapses, Van Pelt referenced the infamous meltdowns of Phil Mickelson in the 2006 US Open and Greg Norman in the 1996 Masters. Both golfers faced devastating losses but confronted the media afterward. Mickelson’s double bogey on the 72nd hole and Norman’s six-stroke lead loss to Nick Faldo are etched in golf lore not only for their dramatic finishes but for the players’ willingness to speak about their failures.

“Phil Mickelson, the [2006] US Open, hit off a beer tent on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot to lose with a double and he said afterward, ‘I’m such an idiot.’ Greg Norman melted down over the course of five brutal hours in ’96, as his seemingly insurmountable lead evaporated. When it mercifully ended, [Norman] stood there under the Magnolia trees in the darkness, and he answered the questions about what happened. I’m certain he would have preferred that the Earth open up and swallow him whole, but he stood there and he took it,” Van Pelt emphasized.

A Moment That Will Be Remembered

Van Pelt concluded by stating that McIlroy’s actions on this fateful Sunday would not be forgotten. “How it got away on this Sunday and the fact that he walked away without speaking about it will both be remembered,” he said.

The Aftermath

After DeChambeau sank his tournament-winning putt, McIlroy watched from the clubhouse, reportedly leaving the North Carolina course just six minutes later without speaking to reporters. This swift exit, according to Van Pelt and many golf enthusiasts, is a departure from the sportsmanship expected at such high-stakes events.

McIlroy, who shot a 1-under par 69 on Sunday for a total of 5-under over the weekend, has not won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship. As DeChambeau celebrates his second US Open victory, the memory of McIlroy’s hasty exit will linger, a stark reminder of the pressures and expectations that come with being one of golf’s elite.

This incident, laden with disappointment and controversy, adds another chapter to McIlroy’s storied career, leaving fans and commentators to wonder how it will shape his future performances on the biggest stages in golf.