Rory McIlroy left Pinehurst immediately and refused to speak to the media after missing out on US Open glory on Sunday.
The Northern-Irishman looked destined to end his decade-long wait for a major when he led by two shots with just five holes left to play.
Yet after bogeys on three of his final four holes, McIlroy collapsed with the 35-year-old eventually missing out on glory to Bryson DeChambeau.
It was clearly a painful defeat for the Briton, who is yet to win a major since his victory at the PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2014.
Rory McIlroy was clearly crushed after losing to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open on Sunday night
REUTERS
And McIlroy was clearly crushed after DeChambeau pipped him to glory at Pinehurst on Sunday.
The golf star, who recently reconciled with wife Erica Stoll after he'd previously filed for divorce, left the course in the United States immediately after his collapse.
Golf reporter Jason Sobel said the 35-year-old 'loaded up his car and quickly left the premises'.
No media for Rory McIlroy, as he loads up the car and quickly leaves the premises. pic.twitter.com/z9FzEoq0hB
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) June 16, 2024
His images showed a dejected McIlroy packing his bags and NBC, the tournament broadcaster in the US, have said he declined to be interviewed.
It all seemed to be going to plan for the Briton earlier in the day.
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He had started the morning session three shots behind DeChambeau - with a birdie on the first hole helping him close the gap.
By the time he was walking to the 14th tee, the Northern-Irishman was two shots ahead.
Yet McIlroy then imploded and his hopes of US Open glory went up in smoke as a result.
Rory McIlroy was within touching distance of US Open glory before Bryson DeChambeau won the prestigious prize instead
REUTERS
While it was a painful day for the Briton, it was a memorable afternoon and evening for DeChambeau.
The American has now won his second major, with his victory at Pinehurst coming four years on from his victory at the US Open in 2020.
And the 30-year-old was delighted with his latest victory, saying: “I still can’t believe it. It’s unbelievable."
DeChambeau also said his victory was the 'highlight of his life', too, adding: “I felt like I was hitting the driver the way I wanted today.
“I just kept staying the course focussed on trying as many fairways as I could even though I didn’t but I got myself out of trouble really well but I can’t believe that up and down, it was probably the best shot of my life.
“I was just trying to land it pretty much where I landed it.
"I knew that was huge to get up and down to win this huge prestigious championship. It’s the highlight of my life.”
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Rory McIlroy refused to congratulate Bryson DeChambeau on his US Open triumph
REUTERS
ESPN pundit Mike Greenberg, meanwhile, hopes McIlroy is able to bounce back from his disaster in America.
However, he fears narrowly missing out on victory this year will be tough for the veteran to get over.
"Rory McIlroy is an all-time talent, I hope against hope he gets another someday," he said.
"But this one is going to stick. Two shot lead, two putts less than three feet each. In a snakebitten decade, this has got to be the toughest to take."
