US Open chief forced to intervene after Rory McIlroy followed into champions' locker room

A leading USPGA official intervened at the US Open on Sunday after Rory McIlroy was followed into the locker rooms by a Netflix camera crew. In the intermediate aftermath of his final hole collapse at Pinehurst, the Northern Irishman was forced to watch on from the clubhouse as Bryson DeChambeau completed his round.

After McIlroy had missed from three feet to bogey the 18th, the American was left needing a par to secure victory.

He seemed to be struggling after his second shot from the rough ended up in a bunker 55 yards from the flag, but he then executed a superb approach from the sand to leave himself a four-foot putt for glory.

DeChambeau made no mistake, meaning McIlroy’s decade-long wait for a fifth major title continues. But according to golf.com, his efforts to slip away quietly were scuppered by Netflix staff.

McIlroy and his team were allegedly followed by a crew carrying a camera and a boom microphone as he disappeared down the hallway of the Pinehurst clubhouse towards the US Open champions’ changing area. He is eligible to enter that room each year courtesy of his win in 2011.

And as McIlroy was packing his bags, USGA CEO Mike Whan paused preparations for the post-tournament presentations to intervene. He pointedly asked security guards “Do we want them in there?” as he tried to protect McIlroy’s privacy.

Whan’s actions seemed sensitive to the fact that McIlroy has just endured a painful moment on the course and was in need of privacy. Just minutes later, he delivered a speech ahead of the silverware being presented to DeChambeau.

McIlroy was said to have re-emerged from the locker room minutes later, looking fatigued as he carried his bag over his shoulder. He was alongside caddie Harry Diamond and agent Sean O’Flaherty, with no words spoken.

At one stage, McIlroy had held a two-shot lead during the final round, only for things to unravel in the last three holes. But he found words of consolation from the man who confined him to second place.

“Rory is one of the best to ever play and being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special,” said DeChambeau. “For him to miss that putt, I never would have wished it on anybody

“It just happened to play out that way and he will win multiple more major championships. There is no doubt. I think that fire in him is going to continue to grow and I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf.”