Donald Trump takes swipe at Rory McIlroy after Bryson DeChambeau's victory at the US Open

Donald Trump appeared to take a swipe at Rory McIlroy following his meltdown at the US Open on Sunday - while also gushing over eventual champion Bryson DeChambeau.

McIlroy allowed his best chance to end a painful 10-year wait for a fifth major title slip through his fingers at Pinehurst on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman led by two shots with five holes to play but amazingly missed from two feet and six inches for par on the 16th and less than four feet on the 18th to suffer another heartbreaking loss.

It allowed DeChambeau, the big-hitting American who plays on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, to claim his second US Open title on an extraordinary final day in North Carolina.

Trump, who has close ties to LIV and has been seen at a handful of their events in recent years, posted a congratulatory message to his fellow American on Truth Social on Sunday night and appeared to dig out McIlroy. 

Donald Trump appeared to take a swipe at Rory McIlroy following his meltdown at the US Open

McIlroy let his best chance to end a 10-year wait for a fifth major title slip through his fingers

The former President spoke of 'toughness and inner strength', as well as praising LIV golf - which McIlroy has been a fierce critic of in the past.

Trump wrote: 'Congratulations to Bryson DeChambeau on his incredible WIN of the United States Open! 

'He showed a toughness and inner strength, matched perfectly with his GREAT Golfing Talent, that can never be denied! Under massive pressure, he pulled off some of the greatest shots ever made, especially his spectacular sand save on the 18th Hole that gave him the Victory.

'"Mr. 58" has always been a WINNER, and will go on to many more Major Championships. He is a truly tough competitor, even a nasty one, but he also happens to be a great guy. The U.S.A. could not be better represented.

'Congratulations also to LIV Golf for their genius in signing Bryson and other of the best Golfers in the World. 

'Hopefully Golf will soon come together as one, fully united, which is the way it should be!'

Trump spoke of 'toughness and inner strength' and praised LIV - which McIlroy has criticized

Bryson DeChambeau won a second US Open title on an extraordinary Sunday at Pinehurst

McIlroy must wait until The Open in Scotland next month to try and end his major hoodoo once again.

Commentating for Sky Sports in the UK, six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo said: 'That's going to haunt Rory for the rest of his life, those two misses.'

Unsurprisingly McIlroy was not in the mood to speak to the media and was seen immediately getting into his courtesy car and leaving the course. 

DeChambeau, meanwhile, expressed sympathy for his beaten rival.

'For him to miss that putt (on 18), I would never wish that on anybody,' DeChambeau said after a final round of 71 left him six under par, a shot ahead of McIlroy and two clear of Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau.

'I think that fire in him is only going to continue to grow. He's going to win more major championships.

'I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf because, to be honest, when he was climbing up the leaderboard, he was two ahead, I was like, Uh-oh, uh-oh. But luckily things went my way.'