Rose blooms to snatch US Open title; Mickelson falters again

Justin Rose of England celebrates with the U.S. Open trophy after winning the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on June 16, 2013 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Justin Rose of England looks to the heavens in acknowledgement of his deceased father after putting on the 18th hole to complete the final round of the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on June 16, 2013 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Justin Rose of England looks to the heavens in acknowledgement of his deceased father after putting on the 18th hole to complete the final round of the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on June 16, 2013 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. (Getty Images)

Hunter Mahan was in the final group with Mickelson, proving to be the most assured pair of hands on a chaotic final day. Mahan made par on all but one of the first 14 holes before his chances at glory got buried in the rough by the 15th hole. Mahan three-putted for double bogey to wipe his card out of contention.

When Jason Day made his third birdie of the round at the tenth, it appeared briefly that we might have another Aussie taking the major title. With Adam Scott’s exploits at the Masters, still fresh in the memory the possibility sparked a certain degree of excitement. But Day disappointed with bogeys at the 11th, 14th and 18th and end up in a tie for second with Mickelson.

Steve Stricker started just one stroke off the lead, but a triple bogey 8 at the second after twice going out of bounds destroyed any realistic hope of victory for the 46 year old veteran. Charl Schwartzel was under par for a little bit, but 8 bogeys and a double bogey left him staring at a 78 that dropped him outside the top ten.

Tiger Woods had a day to forget, almost as soon as it began. Woods struck out of bounds on the par-5 second before eventually making a triple bogey 8. From there all Woods could strive for was to salvage his pride and honour against the shortest course in a major for nearly a decade. In the end Woods finished with 13 over 274 matching his worst score at the majors.

One of the many highlights on a riveting final day was a hole in one by Shawn Stefani at the par-3 17th. Stefani hit a four iron at the 229 yard to the left of the green and saw it bounce down the slope and amble nearly 50 feet into the pin. It was a comeback of sorts for the American, who ended the day with a 69. In the third round, Stefani had a disastrous 85, which was mainly the reason for a 19 over score of 299.

Merion club had some illustrious winners in the past – Olin Dutra, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino and David Graham – Rose has now joined the foursome as the men to have the US Open at this fearsome venue. Rose took home 600 Fedex Cup points and $1.44mn for his efforts at the club this week.

Other members in the top ten – Jason Day and Mickelson tied for second to take $695,916 each. Four men tied for fourth – Ernie Els, Billy Horschel, Hunter Mahan and Jason Dufner, who each collected a cheque worth $291,406. Luke Donald and Steve Stricker tied for eighth winning $210,006 each and Hideki Matsuyama, Nicolas Colsaerts, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano and Rickie Fowler rounded off the top ten. Each of those four men won $168,530.

Select Scores:

+1: Rose (Eng)+3: Mickelson (US), Day (Aus)+5: Dufner (US), Els (SA), Horschel (US), Mahan (US)+6: Donald (Eng), Stricker

Others:

+9: Westwood (Eng)+13 : Woods (US), Donaldson (Wal), Lawrie (Sco)+14: McIlroy (NI)+15: Garcia (Spa), Scott (Aus)

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Edited by Staff Editor