WEBB SIMPSON WINS US OPEN WITH ONE-OVER-PAR TOTAL

                      WEBB SIMPSON ... THE NEW US OPEN CHAMPION

 

FROM THE BBCSPORT.COM WEBSITE

By ROB HODGETTS

American Webb Simpson clinched his maiden major title with victory on an absorbing final day of the US Open.

The 26-year-old beat Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and fellow American Michael Thompson by one shot at a foggy Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Simpson shot 68 to set the target at one over and watched as 2010 champion McDowell missed a 25ft putt to force a play-off on the 18th.

Lee Westwood took 73 for three over, while Tiger Woods (73) was seven over.

Simpson, who climbs to fifth in the world, becomes the 15th different major winner in a row, the ninth straight first-time winner and the third consecutive American to win one of golf's grand slam events.

"I've never felt nerves like I felt today," said Simpson, who was pipped to the US money list title by England's Luke Donald last year. "I had to hit my legs because I couldn't feel them.

"I probably prayed more the last three holes than I ever did in my life."

Starting the final day four shots behind co-leaders McDowell and Jim Furyk, Simpson made his move with a spell of four birdies in five holes from the sixth.

Parring his way home, he bettered the clubhouse mark of first-round leader Thompson, who shot 67, and took the outright lead when Furyk, who had been in front all day and led by two at one stage, bogeyed 16.

Both 2003 champion Furyk and McDowell had a chance to force an 18-hole play-off on Monday, but the 42-year-old American finished with another bogey via the left bunker on 18 for a 74 to end two back and McDowell could only make par for a 73. 

------WEBB SIMPSON FACTFILE

• Age - 26
• Born - North Carolina
• Turned pro - 2008
• Joined US PGA Tour - 2009
• US PGA Tour wins - 3
• Major wins - 2012 US Open

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"It was grind and a slog, but I'll be back," said the 32-year-old McDowell, who had hoped to make it three Northern Irish wins in a row following Rory McIlroy's success last June.

"There's a mixture of emotions inside me right now, disappointment, deflation, pride but mostly just frustration."

Furyk, whose hooked drive on the par-five 16th sparked his downfall, said: "I don't know how to put that one into words, but I had my opportunities and my chances and it was right there.

"On that back nine, it was my tournament to win. I've only got myself to blame."

Ireland's Padraig Harrington put up a serious challenge for a fourth major title and first since 2008 with a run of five birdies in 11 holes. But needing a birdie at the last to join Thompson, he ran up a bogey five after finding sand with his approach and ended with a 68 to finish three over.

Americans David Toms (68), John Peterson (70) and Jason Dufner (70) also finished three over with 1994 and 1997 US Open winner Ernie Els on four over.

The South African, who was third to McDowell at Pebble Beach, was one stroke off the lead after 15 but bogeyed the 16th and 18th for a 72.

England's world number three Lee Westwood was in contention for his first major title at the 57th attempt, but was derailed when he lost a ball, seemingly stuck up a pine tree on the fifth. He was forced to go back to the tee and play another and ran up a double bogey from which he never fully recovered, despite an eagle on 17.

Woods, chasing a 15th major title and first for four years, began bogey-bogey-double bogey and dropped six shots in his first six holes. The former world number one fought back with birdies on the eighth, 14th and 17th but could only finish in a tie for 21st with, among others, England's Justin Rose (72).

"Overall, the way I struck the golf ball, the way I controlled it all week is something that's very positive going forward," said the 36-year-old Woods.

"I was just a fraction off just a couple yards here and there and that's all it takes. I had so many balls that landed in the fairway that went into the rough."

FINAL ANALYSIS by Andrew Cotter BBC golf commentator at Olympic

 

Amazingly, Webb Simpson becomes the 15th different winner of the last 15 majors - imagine that in tennis - which shows that in the post Woods-dominated world, it is very difficult to land one of the big four when so many players can win.

But we shouldn't be too surprised at Simpson's victory. Twice a winner of big tournaments on the US PGA Tour last year he is part of the wave of younger American players which shows that however good European golf appears to be at the moment, things are fairly bright on the other side of the Atlantic as well. 

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

 FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM

SAN FRANCISCO – Jim Furyk didn’t make a birdie on Sunday but he did manage to hold onto the lead for most of the day. Graeme McDowell struggled to find a fairway, but he did manage to keep his hopes alive.

In the end, neither past winner of the U.S. Open could get the job done.

Both came to the 18th green needing to make birdie in order to force a playoff with Webb Simpson. McDowell missed his birdie attempt from 25 feet; Furyk found the bunker with his approach shot and had no chance.

A disappointing day for both players, who entered the final round with a share of a two-shot lead.

“There’s a mixture of emotions inside me right now,” McDowell said. “Obviously disappointment, deflation, pride. But mostly just frustration, just because I hit three fairways today.

“That’s the U.S. Open. You’re not supposed to do that. You’re supposed to hit it in some fairways.”

Furyk led for most of the day before suffering bogeys in two of the final three holes. His tee shot at the par-5 16th led to the bogey that dropped him out of the lead he was sharing with Simpson.

“I was tied for the lead, sitting on the 16th tee, with wedges basically if I hit good shots,” Furyk said. “I got wedges in my hand or reachable par-5s in my hand on the way in and one birdie wins the golf tournament. I’m definitely frustrated….

“I know I let one slide today and slip.”

Said McDowell: “I’m disappointed right now. But the way Jim did it, to play as well as he did and then just to kind of not get the job done coming in, that’s more disappointing for him.  I guess that the way I did it – I got off to a slow start and kind of battled back – I guess I feel a little better.”

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

Par 280 (4x70)

Players from US unless stated

281 Webb Simpson 72 73 68 68

282 Michael Thompson 66 75 74 67, Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 69 72 68 73

283 David Toms 69 70 76 78, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 74 70 71 68, John Peterson 71 70 72 70, Jason Dufner 72 71 70 70, Jim Furyk 70 69 70 74

284 Ernie Els (South Africa) 75 69 68 72.
 

SELECTED TOTALS

285 Lee Westwood (England) 73 72 67 73 (T10)

286 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 74 71 69 72, Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) 72 71 68 75 (T15)

287 Justin Rose (England) 69 75 71 72, Tiger Woods 69 70 75 73 (T21)
288 Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 72 69 71 76 (T23)
290 Sergio Garcia (Spain) 73 71 71 75 (T38)
291 Ian Poulter (Engloand) 70 75 73 73 (T41)
293 Simon Dyson (England) 74 74 74 71 (T51)
295 Matthew Baldwin (England) 74 74 73 74 (T60)
296 Marc Warren (Scotland) 73 72 74 77 (T65)



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