Glover holds nerve to lift US Open
Lucas Glover lifted his first major
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Tuesday, 23, Jun 2009 09:51
Lucas Glover has won the 109th US Open by two strokes from Phil Mickelson and David Duval at Bethpage Black in New York.
The 29-year-old started the day tied for the lead on seven-under alongside Ricky Barnes, who had a nightmare start to his round with seven bogeys in the first 12 holes. Instead it was veteran stars Mickelson and Duval who proved to be the biggest threats to Glover.
Three-time major winner Mickelson was tied for the lead with an eagle on the 13th and then again on the 15th, but the American fell behind with a bogey on the penultimate hole. Duval was tied for the lead on the 16th, but like Mickelson, he to bogeyed the 17th.
Barnes, meanwhile, fought back and could have forced a play-off had he managed to birdie the last hole, but he failed and it was Glover, who crucially birdied the 16th, and with a final round of 73 lifted the trophy.
"It was a test of patience today," said Glover. "It was tough, we got the full value of the course. But the golf course played fantastic and it was just hard."
Englishman Ross Fisher had a terrific chance of winning his first major as an eagle on the 13th hole put him one behind the leader. But he bogeyed holes 15 and 17 and had to settle for a third place finish.
Tiger Woods showed some of his magical touch to card a round of 69 and had an outside shot of defending his title, but he finished on level-par.