McIlroy, Van de Velde, Mickelson… The 5 biggest cracks in the final of a Major

Rory McIlroy’s failure in the US Open final is reminiscent of some other famous collapses by a leader in the final holes of a Grand Slam tournament. Obviously in France, we think of Jean Van de Velde. But he’s not the only one to have buckled under pressure. Our top 5 “crashes” remind victims and their fans of very bad memories.

1) Van de Velde, the nightmare of Carnoustie

For us, even if we would like to forget this story, the disaster of the 72nd and last hole of the British Open experienced by Jean Van de Velde remains, today, the worst failure in the history of a Major leader. Because the Basque had a three-shot lead before the last hole. Three.

So of course, after a drive that remained miraculously dry, the Frenchman was unlucky when his second shot, risky, hit the stand before going back, into heavy rough. His third shot which ended up in the stream, his triple bogey, his first shot out of bounds at the start of the play-off, we know the rest. Strategically, VDV played this 18th hole at Carnoustie backwards.

These minutes have become legendary in the history of golf. We have almost forgotten the name of the winner that year, the Scotsman Paul Lawrie.

2) Norman, the explosion at Augusta

Six shots ahead before the last round. Six… And from hole no. 11, this lead had already vanished. Greg Norman completely collapsed during the 1996 edition of the Masters, conceding five bogeys and two double-bogeys to score a terrible 78 and leave Nick Faldoauthor of an impressive 67, pocket the bet at Augusta for the 3rd time.

Norman didn’t exactly break down during the final sprint, but from the start of the fourth lap. It was a slow, inexorable collapse.

3) Scott, the agony at Lytham St Annes

Adam Scott had not yet triumphed in a Major (he would win the Masters the following year) but he was one of the dominant players on the world tour when he showed up with a four-shot lead and four holes to play at Royal Lytham St Annes during the 2012 British Open. The course is far from being as complicated as at Carnoustie in 1999. Victory seems assured.

But the Australian will lose his nerve and concede four bogeys on his last four holes, leaving the victory by one stroke. Ernie Els. In particular, he missed a 1.20m putt at the 16th and found a pot fairway bunker on the 72nd hole. Painful.

4) Mickelson, Winged Foot’s blunder

Phil Mickelson will probably never win the US Open and it is surely the 2006 edition which will leave him with the most regrets. Before attacking the 72nd and final hole at Winged Foot, he is one point ahead of the future winner, the Australian Geoff Ogilvy.

Colin Montgomerie, also in the lead a few minutes earlier, conceded a double bogey on this final hole of the tournament. “Lefty” will do the same, sending his drive completely to the left (a slice for him). His second shot will hit a tree, his 3rd will plug into a bunker… A disaster.

“ I’m such an idiot » (“I’m an idiot”) the three-time Masters winner would later say.

5) McIlroy, the heartbreaker of Pinehurst

Three bogeys on the last four holes is one thing. But there is also the way in which Rory McIlroy gave in in this final of the last US Open. After ten years of suffering and failures in the Major, everything seemed to smile on him on this last day at Pinehurst. And then there were the 76 centimeters missed at 15. And again this last little putt (more difficult) which escaped at 18.

It was painful to see. It’s obvious that the Northern Irishman’s brain connected past failures when he went into the lead. This failure is heartbreaking for everyone who loves Rory. And they are many.

©Jared C. Tilton / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP