Graeme McDowell wins US Open at Pebble Beach
Graeme McDowell turned in a 3-over 74 on Sunday to win the 2010 U.S. Open Championship by one stroke over Gregory Havret (72) and two shots over Ernie Els (73). The 30-year-old native of Portrush, Northern Ireland becomes the first European to win the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
McDowell’s final-round 74 was just one stroke from equaling the highest final-round score by a winner at the U.S. Open since World War II – 75 by Cary Middlecoff (1949) and Hale Irwin (1979).
Gregory Havret, a 33-year-old native of La Rochelle, France, finished runner-up in his first-ever start at the U.S. Open. Havret scored a final round 72 for an overall +1. He was seeking to become the first player to win the Championship in his inaugural start since Francis Ouimet in 1913. Havret is perhaps best known for defeating Phil Mickelson in a playoff at the 2007 Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. His other European Tour wins came at the 2001 Atlanet Italian Open and the 2008 Johnnie Walker Championships at Gleneagles.
Ernie Els finished solo-third for his best finish in a major championship since finishing solo-third at the 2007 PGA Championship. Els finished +2 for the tournament after a final round of 73.
Dustin Johnson entered the final round with a three-stroke lead, but a triple bogey on the par-4 second hole and a double bogey on the par-4 third derailed his title holes, eventually carding an 11-over 82 and dropping to 8th place.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson tied for 4th with 3-over par 287.
Tiger Woods’ highest final round scores in major championships as a professional: 76 – 2004 U.S. Open; 75 – 2010 U.S. Open, 2009 PGA Championship, 2003 Masters, 1999 Masters, 1997 PGA Championship Tiger Woods has never come from behind to win a major when trailing after 54 holes. He either led or
shared the lead in all 14 of his major championship victories.
Phil Mickelson has five career runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open in 18 professional starts (20 total). Players with four runner-up finishes: Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. His T4 finish this week gives him seven top-4 finishes at the U.S. Open.
Making his first U.S. Open start since 2003, 60-year-old Tom Watson finished T29 this week at Pebble Beach Golf Links. He is the only player to tee it up in all five U.S. Opens at Pebble Beach (T29-2010, T27-2000, MC-1992, 1st-1982, T29-1972). Watson has made the cut at the U.S. Open 25 times. Only five players have completed 72 holes at the Open more times: Jack Nicklaus (35), Sam Snead (27), Hale Irwin (27), Gene Sarazen (26) and Raymond Floyd (26).
