McDowell holds firm to win US Open

Northern Ireland golfer wins survival of the fittest at Pebble Beach to end Europe’s trophy drought

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell has ended Europe’s 40-year wait for a US Open champion after winning the second major of 2010 at Pebble Beach.

The 30-year-old shot a final round 74 to finish level par from the tournament and win by one shot from Frenchman Gregory Havret, with two-time champion Ernie Els a further shot adrift.

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, meantime, finished in a share of fourth on three-over.

McDowell’s victory was the first by a European golfer in the US Open since Tony Jacklin’s victory at Hazeltine in 1970.

“It’s an absolute dream come true, I’ve dreamed about this all my life,” he said afterwards. “It’s so difficult to win a golf tournament, let alone a major. I’m just so thrilled to get over the line.”

McDowell began the final round three shots adrift of 54-hole leader Dustin Johnson, who was bidding for an unprecedented third straight win at Pebble Beach following his back-to-back wins in the AT&T Championship on the PGA Tour.

However, the 25-year-old Walker Cup star’s glory bid imploded spectacularly when he haemorrhaged five shots in his opening three holes, ultimately carding an ugly 82.

Johnson’s collapse opened the door for the chasing pack to capitalise but, with a strong wind blowing across the links, scoring proved tough, particularly over the notoriously difficult back nine.

Ultimately, though, McDowell clung on best to become Northern Ireland’s first major champion since Fred Daly won the Open in 1947 and the first player from the UK to win a major since Paul Lawrie won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999.

Of the other leading contenders from the UK, Lee Westwood finished eight-over-par, with Paul Casey on 13-over, and Luke Donald and Ian Poulter 14-over.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered