Golf: Matsuyama finishes 6th as DeChambeau wins 2nd U.S. Open title

Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama finished in sixth place as Bryson DeChambeau played a heroic final-hole bunker shot to win his second U.S. Open title Sunday.

DeChambeau, a California native, closed with a 1-over 71 for a 6-under 274 total, one shot clear of Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.

Bryson DeChambeau of the United States holds the victor's trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament on June 16, 2024, at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Kyodo photo

McIlroy missed a short par putt on the 18th, his third bogey in the final four holes, that would have put him into a playoff with DeChambeau at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club's difficult No. 2 course in North Carolina.

DeChambeau's second major victory and ninth win overall on the PGA Tour earned him $4.3 million.

The 30-year-old long hitter saved par on the 18th hole to edge McIlroy after hitting a superb shot out of a greenside bunker to set up a short putt.

"That bunker shot was the shot of my life," DeChambeau said. "I want to say happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Unfortunately, my dad passed a couple of years ago and this one is for him."

Matsuyama was at 2 under for the tournament after a final-round 70. The 2021 Masters champion entered the day five strokes off the lead and only managed one birdie on the par-4 13th hole after dropping a shot at No. 9.

"My shots weren't going how I wanted today," Matsuyama said. "I wasn't able to make some putts where I wanted to, so I struggled a bit."

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama hits out of a bunker on the 12th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament on June 16, 2024, at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
While Matsuyama was unhappy with the way he finished the week, it was his best finish in a major this year after he tied for 38th at the Masters Tournament in April and for 35th at the PGA Championship in May.

Tony Finau (67) and Patrick Cantlay (70), both from the United States, shared third place at 4 under.