Glover wins US Open in a dramatic way

American Lucas Glover stayed cool to survive late charges from bigger names and clinched a 109th U.S. Open that had been plagued by bad weather. Glover claimed his maiden major by two shots from world number two Mickelson, former world number one Duval and third-round leader Ricky Barnes. England’s Ross Fisher was close for much of the final round but ended three back for his best major finish. The world number one, Tiger Woods threatened but ended four strokes behind Glover at level par.

The tournament was wide open for much of the final day as Barnes, who held a six-shot lead at one stage during the third round, and Glover came back to the pack after starting the day tied for the lead at seven under, five shots clear. After a bogey on the 15th hole, Glover played superbly to post a birdie on 16 before solid pars on the final two holes as the raucous New York galleries applauded an unlikely winner. Glover said: “It was a test of patience today. It was tough, we got the full value of the course. But the golf course played fantastic and it was just hard.”

Glover highlighted his form on the greens as the reason for his eventual victory, having only three putted once throughout the entire tournament. He added: “That’s pretty good. I got a new putter back in the fall and I’ve been working on it. The birdie at 16 was also huge. I heard some roars ahead and know it was important.” Glover, ranked 71 in the world before the event, was second at Charlotte last month for his best PGA showing of the year but had missed the cut in his three prior US Open appearances. His best finish in 11 previous majors was tied 20th at the 2007 Masters.

The final day, caused by torrential rain and water-logging on Thursday and Saturday evening halting play, was the first time a U.S. Open has overrun since Larry Nelson won at Oakmont in 1983. Fisher struck a superb eagle putt at the 13th hole to move three under but bogeys on 15th and 17th killed his chances of victory.