Rory McIlroy blows another Major opportunity as Wyndham Clark wins the US Open

WYNDHAM Clark seized his moment in the spotlight at the Tinseltown US Open to hand Rory McIlroy yet another dose of Major championship misery.

The rising American star was much braver and brasher than McIlroy as he clinched a richly deserved one shot victory at Los Angeles Country Club, a few miles from  the Hollywood studios.

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McIlroy, 34, could have no complaints as his nine year drought in the Majors continued.

Clark led by three shots with four holes to play, and only bogeys at 15 and 16 offered the world No 3 any hope.

McIlroy  made just one  birdie – at the par five first hole – and rarely hit it close enough after that to put any pressure on the impressive Clark.

Before the final round, the four-time Major champion said he would continue to keep scrapping away in these events, regardless of whether he “got rewarded, or punched in the gut”.

He was doubled over yet again by a killer body shot from a younger opponent, and he will pray for a better outcome when he returns to Hoylake next month, the scene of his Open triumph nine years ago.

Clark, 29, had only played six previous Majors – 52 less than McIlroy – and had never finished higher than 75th before this, missing the cut four times.

But he showed he can handle tough courses by claiming his first PGA Tour victory last month in the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.

He has also moved quietly up to 32nd in the world rankings – although he will take another big jump after this.

It was a two horse race for most of the day as Rickie Fowler quickly surrendered his share of the 54 hole lead with three early bogeys, and had to settle for a share of fifth place.

Scottie Scheffler was the only other player who set out with a realistic chance, but with his putter refusing to co-operate – a recurring story lately – he never looked like making up the three shot gap to the overnight leaders.

The world No 1 still continued his incredible hot streak by finishing third, while Tommy Fleetwood missed a great chance to become only the fourth player to shoot 62 in the Majors- and the third this week –

He failed to convert a five footer for birdie at the last. But his brilliant 63 sent the Southport star storming up the leaderboard into the three-way tie for fifth.

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