Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland shot a 3-over par 74 at Pebble Beach on Sunday to win the 11oth U.S. Open, Mr. McDowell held off France’s Gregory Havret to finish at even-par 284 for the tournament.
Mr. McDowell’s one shot victory makes him the first European to win America’s national championship since 1970:
In case you missed it, an earthquake rattled Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sunday.
The spectators didn’t feel it. Neither did USGA officials or anyone in the surrounding Monterey Peninsula.
But those golfers with late final-round starting times at the 110th U.S. Open were being shaken and stirred like a cocktail.
In the case of 54-hole leader Dustin Johnson, the shocks were violent.
Yet when everything calmed down and the sun began to set over the Pacific Ocean, Graeme McDowell, an affable 30-year-old from Northern Ireland, had maintained his footing just enough to prevent a perilous tumble into Stillwater Cove.
McDowell carded a 3-over-par 74 on the 7,040-yard layout to earn a one-stroke victory over Frenchman Gregory Havret, thus ending a 40-year European drought in this championship. England’s Tony Jacklin was the last Euro to claim the title, in 1970 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. McDowell, a member of the victorious 2001 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Team, also is the first golfer from Northern Ireland to win a USGA championship.
Congratulations Mr. McDowell, the first one is always the best.
Related
- McDowell town set for victory party – Belfast Telegraph
- Tiger Woods slapped down by USGA exec for criticizing greens – The Christian Science Monitor