American Webb Simpson has won the US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California, USA, stretching the run of consecutive first-time major winners to nine.
On a misty day on America’s west coast, the unheralded North Carolinian came from two shots behind to usurp overnight leaders Jim Furyk and 2010 champion Graeme McDowell. His round of 68 featured four birdies in the space of five holes around the turn, a charge his more experienced opponents were simply unable to resist.
Speaking in the aftermath of the victory, an emotional Simpson stated: “I had a peace all day. I knew it was a tough golf course. I probably prayed more the last three holes than I ever did in my life.” To contextualise the sheer brutality of the course, Simpson was the only player of the last eighteen to tee off on Sunday to break par, whilst his winning overall score of one-over par was the highest since 2007. The win lifts him to a career-best number five in the official world golf rankings.
For much of the week, it seemed a certain Eldrick Woods was to end his major drought and edge closer to Jack Nicklaus’ record haul of eighteen. But Woods, like others, fell by the wayside over the weekend, slumping into an eventual tie for 21st. “I was just a fraction off just a couple yards here and there and that’s all it takes,” said the former world number one, without a major since June 2008.
Last nine major winners:
2010 US Open – Graeme McDowell (NI)
2010 Open – Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)
2010 US PGA – Martin Kaymer (Ger)
2011 Masters – Charl Schwartzel (RSA)
2011 US Open – Rory McIlroy (NI)
2011 Open – Darren Clarke (NI)
2011 US PGA – Keegan Bradley (USA)
2012 Masters – Bubba Watson (USA)
2012 US Open – Webb Simpson (USA)
Lee Westwood will no doubt be cursing his luck after being in contention for his maiden major title before an errant drive on the fifth hole ended up lodged up a cypress tree, incurring a two-shot penalty for the Englishman, the resultant double-bogey all but ending his challenge.
Westwood, though, like world number one Luke Donald, can take solace in the fact that every major since Phil Mickelson claimed The Masters in 2010 has been won by a first-timer. Both will be looking to validate their claims to the top spot in world golf with that elusive first major title as attention now turns to The Open Championship being hosted by Royal Lytham and St Annes, Lancs, next month.
exeposedev 