McDowell does Europe proud in US
Source: Agencies |
June 22, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BRITAIN'S Graeme McDowell kept his composure in tough scoring conditions to end a 40-year title drought by Europeans at the US Open with a gutsy one-shot victory in Pebble Beach, California, on Sunday.
Three strokes behind American playing partner Dustin Johnson going into the final round, the Northern Irishman ground out a three-over-par 74 at a breezy Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Despite dropping three shots on the more difficult back nine as the ocean winds strengthened in the late afternoon, McDowell held his nerve with some of the game's biggest names close behind to finish at even-par 284.
The 30-year-old from Portrush calmly parred the final hole to clinch his maiden major title, and Europe's first US Open since Briton Tony Jacklin won the 1970 edition at Hazeltine.
"It's so difficult to win a golf tournament, let alone a major," a beaming McDowell said greenside after kissing the silver trophy and then cradling it like a baby. "This thing feels amazing.
"I've dreamed of this all my life, two putts to win the US Open. A few pints of Guinness will probably go down around now," he said of his fans back in Northern Ireland watching on television.
Frenchman Gregory Havret, who came through 36 holes of sectional qualifying last month to book his place at Pebble Beach, closed with a 72 to secure a surprise second place at one over in his first US Open.
Double US Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa, who briefly tied for the lead early on, was a further stroke back after a 73 with world No. 1 Tiger Woods (75) and fellow American Phil Mickelson (73) joint fourth at three over.
Woods, bidding to win his first major title since his private life unraveled at the end of last year amid revelations of marital infidelities, dropped out of contention with five bogeys on the first 10 holes.
"I made three mental mistakes and it cost us a chance to win the US Open," said the American who won the championship by a record 15 shots when it was last held here in 2000.
Closing score
McDowell was hugged by his father Kenny after sealing victory on the 18th green, having posted the highest closing score by a US Open champion since Andy North in 1985.
Winner of the European Tour's Wales Open two weeks ago, McDowell took advantage of a nightmare start by Johnson to take control of the final round.
Johnson, who had won the previous two PGA Tour events staged at Pebble Beach, began the day with a commanding three-stroke lead which he spectacularly threw away by dropping seven shots in six holes.
He triple-bogeyed the par-five second after taking three shots to escape thick fescue grass above a greenside bunker and double-bogeyed the third after a hooked tee shot led to a lost ball.
Two behind McDowell at that point, Johnson went on to bogey the par-four fourth after pushing his tee shot into the ocean as he slumped to an 82 for a share of eighth place at five-over 289.
Three strokes behind American playing partner Dustin Johnson going into the final round, the Northern Irishman ground out a three-over-par 74 at a breezy Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Despite dropping three shots on the more difficult back nine as the ocean winds strengthened in the late afternoon, McDowell held his nerve with some of the game's biggest names close behind to finish at even-par 284.
The 30-year-old from Portrush calmly parred the final hole to clinch his maiden major title, and Europe's first US Open since Briton Tony Jacklin won the 1970 edition at Hazeltine.
"It's so difficult to win a golf tournament, let alone a major," a beaming McDowell said greenside after kissing the silver trophy and then cradling it like a baby. "This thing feels amazing.
"I've dreamed of this all my life, two putts to win the US Open. A few pints of Guinness will probably go down around now," he said of his fans back in Northern Ireland watching on television.
Frenchman Gregory Havret, who came through 36 holes of sectional qualifying last month to book his place at Pebble Beach, closed with a 72 to secure a surprise second place at one over in his first US Open.
Double US Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa, who briefly tied for the lead early on, was a further stroke back after a 73 with world No. 1 Tiger Woods (75) and fellow American Phil Mickelson (73) joint fourth at three over.
Woods, bidding to win his first major title since his private life unraveled at the end of last year amid revelations of marital infidelities, dropped out of contention with five bogeys on the first 10 holes.
"I made three mental mistakes and it cost us a chance to win the US Open," said the American who won the championship by a record 15 shots when it was last held here in 2000.
Closing score
McDowell was hugged by his father Kenny after sealing victory on the 18th green, having posted the highest closing score by a US Open champion since Andy North in 1985.
Winner of the European Tour's Wales Open two weeks ago, McDowell took advantage of a nightmare start by Johnson to take control of the final round.
Johnson, who had won the previous two PGA Tour events staged at Pebble Beach, began the day with a commanding three-stroke lead which he spectacularly threw away by dropping seven shots in six holes.
He triple-bogeyed the par-five second after taking three shots to escape thick fescue grass above a greenside bunker and double-bogeyed the third after a hooked tee shot led to a lost ball.
Two behind McDowell at that point, Johnson went on to bogey the par-four fourth after pushing his tee shot into the ocean as he slumped to an 82 for a share of eighth place at five-over 289.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
