17 June 2019: Gary Woodland played immoveable object to perfection on a Sunday fraught with constant danger. Brooks Koepka exercised his major golf chops yet again, starting the day with four birdies in the first five holes to tap on the heels of Woodland, but with father Dan and mother Linda watching him, he marched to a steady victory to clinch his maiden major title. That it came at Pebble Beach against a quality field that included a man on a hot streak at the majors makes this victory for Woodland mighty impressive.
"We decided to be aggressive."
Gary Woodland's bold play on 14 helped secure a #USOpen title. pic.twitter.com/wm9rUo1lzd
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2019
Bogeys at nine and twelve threatened to derail his progress toward a first-ever major victory, but Woodland responded with birdies at 14 and 18 to remain well ahead of an unrelenting Koepka.
Gary Woodland gets his ?#USOpen pic.twitter.com/1Hc84nxLrA
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2019
In the end, Rose faded into the background making three bogeys in four holes and Koepka, try as he may, could not find the magic he needed to overhaul Woodland.
Viktor Hovland played some spectacular golf on Sunday to receive low amateur honours with a record score of 280, beating the mark of 282 set by Jack Nicklaus in 1960. He also emulated the feat of Matt Kuchar, who was the last amateur to win the honours in both the Masters and US Open in the same year.
Hovland will turn professional next week, making his PGA TOUR debut at the Travelers Championship.
Leading Scores
Gary Woodland 13-under 271
Brooks Koepka 274
Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Chez Reavie, Justin Rose 277
Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen 278
Henrik Stenson, Chesson Hadley, Rory McIlroy 279