From Jean van de Velde's infamously soggy collapse at The Open, to the gut-wrenching tears of Wimbledon runner-up Jana Novotna and of course... Devon Loch - the 10 most painful chokes in sport after Rory McIlroy's US Open failure

It is almost 10 years since Rory McIlroy last won a major, the 2014 PGA Championship, and if his hurried, sunken departure from Pinehurst after his late US Open defeat is anything to go by then he knows just how badly he choked this one.

The Northern Irishman strolled out onto the course on Sunday three down but surged into the lead with four birdies in five holes to move two strokes clear of eventual winner Bryson DeChambeau at the 14th tee. All momentum seemed to be behind the 2011 US Open winner as he looked to end 10 years of heartache at the majors.

But the pressure told and McIlroy's putting, so reliable throughout 2024, suddenly failed him on the back nine as he bogeyed holes 15, 16 and 18 to lose by one shot for the second year running.

It will be of little comfort to McIlroy, but he is hardly the only sportsperson to have thrown away a seemingly unassailable lead when the chips are down. 

Mail Sport takes a look through the history books to see where McIlroy's ranks on the list of sporting chokes.

10. Hungary's streak ends, 1954 FIFA World Cup Final 

Pre-tournament favourites Hungary, led by Ferenc Puskas, travelled to the World Cup in Switzerland undefeated in five years. 

The Hungarians had thrashed their opponents in the final, West Germany, 8-3 in the group stage and looked unbeatable, scoring twice inside eight minutes in Bern. 

But the West Germans struck back, levelling the match with 18 minutes played before Helmut Rahn got the winner in the 84th minute to seal what the Germans call the 'Miracle of Bern' and Hungarians have done their best to forget.

9. Yankees make history for all the wrong reasons, 2004 American League Championship Final

The New York Yankees faced the Boston Red Sox in this seven-game series, the winner going onto the World Series. Everything looked to be going the Yankees' way as they took a 3-0 series lead, a position from which no MLB team had ever lost in the playoffs... 

The Red Sox then mounted the comeback of a lifetime to win 4-3 and reach the World Series. 

It remains one of the darkest points in Yankees history, with Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) admitting in 2020 that there wasn't a day that he didn't think about the choke.

8. McIlroy's major nightmare continues, 2024 US Open

On paper it might not have been quite as bad as his collapse at the 2011 Masters. But Rory McIlroy was just a kid back then and could have been more easily forgiven for that final day horror-show. 

In 2024 and at the age of 35 you would have expected the Northern Irishman's experience to shine through. 

It wasn't to be as his birdie surge on the final day turned into a nightmare on the second-half of the back nine in North Carolina. McIlroy's 10-year wait for another major continued as his putting abandoned him to allow Bryson DeChambeau to claim the title. 

7. Whirlwind finish for White, 1994 World Snooker Final

After five world finals defeats, it looked like 1994 would finally be Jimmy 'The Whirlwind' White's year.

Against his Scottish arch rival Stephen Hendry, White was in a strong position in a tight finale. But in the deciding frame with the scores tied at 17-17, White inexplicably missed a regulation black to put the championship to bed following a 75 clearance. 

'It was a bread-and-butter pot for someone of Jimmy's class,' said one observer, 'but he missed it by so much that it could only have been a choke.'

6. McIlroy's misery, 2011 Masters

A baby-faced McIlroy was unplayable for the first three days at Augusta and took a healthy four-shot lead into the final round. 

But the Northern Irishman, just 21 years young at the time, triple-bogeyed the 10th and double-bogeyed the 12th to shoot 80 on the day and finish down in 15th. 

He later admitted that he had "choked" under the pressure and had cried on the Monday after the competition. 

5. Novotna's tears, 1993 Wimbledon Final

Jana Novotna was up 6-7, 6-1, 4-1 against Steffi Graf and looked set to take a 5-1 lead in the decisive third set.

The pressure got to Novotna though as a double-fault at 40-30 sparked one of the most incredible collapses SW19 has ever witnessed. She lost the following five games in the blink of an eye, allowing Graf to clinch the title. 

The Czech had to be consoled by the Duchess of Kent during the trophy presentation as she broke down in tears. She avenged herself though in 1998, finally claiming her Wimbledon title. 

4. Van de Velde's splashdown, 1999 The Open

Jean van de Velde led by three strokes as he teed off from the final hole at Carnoustie, knowing a double-bogey or better would make him the first Frenchman to win The Open since 1907. 

Instead, calamity struck. Van de Velde hit a grandstand then knocked an approach into the Barry Burn and took his shoes and socks off to wade into the water to consider playing it to the shock of spectators. Wiser head's prevailed and he took a drop but landed his next shot in a bunker. 

Van de Velde finally made a six-foot putt for triple-bogey to go into a four-hole playoff with Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard. Lawrie won the day over a rattled Van de Velde. 

3. AC Milan's not-so miraculous night in Istanbul, 2005 Champions League Final

A first-minute goal from Paolo Maldini followed by a double from Hernan Crespo gave Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan a dominant lead at half-time. 

But Rafa Benitez's Liverpool were a different team after the break with man of the match Steven Gerrard starting the 'miracle' comeback with a looping header. Substitute Vladimir Smicer's thumping effort beat Brazilian goalkeeper Dida and Xabi Alonso scored from the rebound of his penalty miss to send the game to extra-time. 

Jerzy Dudek's heroics in goal sent the game to penalties and Ancelotti's side faltered under pressure in the shootout with the Reds winning 3-2. 

2. Devon Loch's collapse, 1956 Grand National

Owned by the Queen Mother and ridden by Dick Francis, Devon Loch had won two races already in the 1956 season and appeared to have fortune on his side with the favourite, Must, having fallen early.

Loch took the lead with three fences remaining and stretched out a healthy lead in the home straight. But just 40 yards from the finish post and in front of the royal box, Loch suddenly jumped into the air and fell onto his stomach.

The Queen Mother seemingly wasn't too displeased despite the shock defeat. "Oh, that's racing," she said. 

1. Defeat from the jaws of victory, 1996 Masters

Greg 'The Shark' Norman's career is littered with silverware and late defeats at majors but his collapse at the '96 Masters is legend. 

The Shark entered the final day six clear of Nick Faldo, having shot 63 on the opening day to tie the course record at Augusta. But the Australian shot 78 on the Sunday to Faldo's 67 to finish five shots behind the Englishman who claimed his third green jacket.