As the final group played the 18th hole of the U.S. Open, all Justin Rose could do was wait for the outcome in the clubhouse.
After 72 treacherous holes of golf, Rose captured the 113th U.S. Open Championship at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Penn.
The win marks Rose’s first major championship. It also marks the first for an Englishman to win the U.S. Open in 43 years.
Rose now moves up in the rankings to No. 3 in the world.
Rose posted a four-round total of 281 (+1), two shots better than Jason Day and Phil Mickelson, who tied for second at +3. It was Mickelson’s sixth career runner-up finish at the U.S. Open.
A par on 17 and 18 left Rose with a one-shot lead as Mickelson approached the 18th green. A birdie was needed to force a playoff, but Mickelson’s 40-yard chip raced past the cup, securing Rose’s win.
However, Rose didn’t have control the entire day. A handful of players battled for the top spot, often trading positions on the leaderboard.
Mickelson held the lead to begin the final round, but a three-hole stretch of double bogey, birdie and double-bogey left him chasing the top spot.
On No. 10, the lefty’s drive ended up in the right rough, 75 yards out. Using one of his five wedges in his bag, Mickelson’s approach shot bounced a few yards short and trickled in for an eagle, giving him the led yet again.
But down the stretch, Mickelson couldn’t come up big, bogeying holes 13, 15 and 18.
Tiger Woods, the favorite to win the championship, finished tied for 32nd (+13), matching his worst score in any major.
Coming in to Merion, people feared the course was too short and too easy. Those expectations were wiped away quickly.
Rose may be taking home the trophy, but with its troublesome rough and daunting greens, Merion came out as the real winner this week.
