Lucas Glover wins the US Open
- Monday, 22 June 2009
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Lucas Glover
America’s Lucas Glover won a remarkable US Open at Bethpage Black in New York by two shots from his countrymen Phil Mickelson and David Duval. England’s Ross Fisher was the best-placed international player, finishing the week in fifth.
After completing his third round late on Sunday, Glover was one shot off the lead held by Ricky Barnes. But the pair finished their day’s work tied at the top after Barnes bogeyed the first, and only, hole of the final round they managed to finish on Sunday night.
When play resumed today, (the first non-playoff Monday finish in the US Open since 1983,) both Barnes and Glover struggled to find their feet. Glover made three bogeys on the front nine while Barnes played himself out of the running with six bogeys in the space of eight holes between the 5th and 12th.
But Glover steadied the ship with five straight pars at the start of his back nine. He made another bogey at the 15th but hit straight back with a crucial birdie at the 16th to get back to four-under-par. Two solid pars later and Glover had landed his first Major title.
Local favourite Phil Mickelson made a charge and briefly tied for the lead after an eagle at the 13th. But, he fell away with two bogeys and ended the tournament tied for second with Barnes and David Duval.
It was a difficult week for the World Number 2 and he’ll now take some time out to spend with his wife Amy who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. “It was kind of an emotional four or five days,” he said. “I'm certainly disappointed, but now that it's over, I've got more important things going on.
Duval, ranked in the 800s in the World before the event, fought back superbly after a triple bogey on the third hole. Three birdies in a row between the 14th and 16th saw him at the top of the leaderboard, though a bogey at the 17th hole proved to be costly for the 2001 Open Champion.
Ross Fisher played an excellent week’s golf and was only let down by a cold putter. “I feel like I've hit the ball so, so good; probably the best I've hit it ever in a tournament,” said Fisher. “I just couldn't hole any putts.”
Tiger Woods finished in a tie for sixth with Hunter Mahan and Scandinavian stars Soren Hansen and Henrik Stenson.
The US Open
Bethpage State Park Black Course, New York
June 18-22, purse $7,500,000, par 70
1 Lucas Glover (USA) 69 64 70 73 276 $1,350,000
T2 Phil Mickelson (USA) 69 70 69 70 278 $559,830
T2 David Duval (USA) 67 70 70 71 278 $559,830
T2 Ricky Barnes (USA) 67 65 70 76 278 $559,830
5 Ross Fisher (Eng) 70 68 69 72 279 $289,146
T6 Tiger Woods (USA) 74 69 68 69 280 $233,350
T6 Soren Hansen (Den) 70 71 70 69 280 $233,350
T6 Hunter Mahan (USA) 72 68 68 72 280 $233,350
9 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 73 70 70 68 281 $194,794
Note: Players in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only
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