Wrap Up: Resplendent Rose Marvels at Merion
By: Nick Bonfield | Mon 17 Jun 2013
The eagerly anticipated second major of the year took place last week, and it presented an utterly enthralling four days of drama.
Golf fans around the world were treated to a truly memorable tournament, with the action building towards a scintillating crescendo on Sunday evening.
At the US Open, the world number three overcame the brutal conditions to record his first major championship and become the tournament’s first English winner for 43 years.
Resplendent Rose marvels at Merion
Justin Rose shot a closing 70 to record a one-over-par 72-hole total and win the 113th US Open by two shots from Jason Day and Phil Mickelson at Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
Rose – the first Englishman to win a major since Nick Faldo in 1996 – finally broke his major duck at the 39th time of asking.
Uncharacteristically, he was languishing at four over after 14 holes of his first round, but three birdies in his final four holes saw him end round one inside the top 20 on one-over-par.
The 32-year-old started Friday with a bang, holing two 20-foot birdie putts at one and two en route to a one-under-par 71.
He entered the weekend two off the lead, and two birdies in four holes from the 10th saw him reach the summit of the leaderboard for the first time.
But he would bogey the fiendishly difficult 17th and 18th to fall back to one over, two behind Phil Mickelson, who shot a level-par 70.
On Sunday, Rose –paired alongside Luke Donald – played superb golf as his compatriot wilted.
He recovered brilliantly from a dropped shot at three with a two-putt birdie at four, holed a 60-footer for birdie at six and followed that with another fine birdie putt at the seventh.
Two pars followed at eight and nine, but a third dropped shot of the day at 11 saw him drop back into a share of the lead.
Mickleson was enduring a tough day, but he holed an eagle pitch from 79 yards at the short 10th to regain his one-shot advantage.
Unfazed, Rose bounced back with back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13, and despite dropped shots at 14 and 16, he knew two pars would probably be enough.
A glorious five iron secured a safe par at 17, and on 18 – a hole that didn’t see a single birdie all weekend – he hit two magnificent shots to the back of the green and made a comfortable par to secure the clubhouse lead.
Rose – who subsequently looked to the skies in honour of his late father – knew he was almost home, but a Mickelson birdie would have forced a play-off.
The left-hander couldn’t find any magic, though, and Rose celebrated with unabridged joy as his, and indeed England’s, winless major streak finally came to an end.
Talking points:
Rose – a class act
In winning the US Open, Rose not only demonstrated his immense skill but also huge amounts of humility and grace. His impeccable victory speech sent shivers running down the spine, and endeared him to instantly to everyone watching. He is a class act both on and off the course, and no one in world golf is more deserving of the success that’s come his or her way. Rose played sublime golf, but his dignity, respect and magnanimity in the aftermath of victory was just as impressive. Take a bow, Justin – a true gentleman and a perfect idol for aspiring sportsmen.
Much-needed catalyst?
After Graeme McDowell won the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2010, Rory McIlroy admitted it gave him huge amounts of motivation, determination and confidence. Let’s hope the same applies to the English contingent. Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter should be spurred on by Rose’s achievement. If seeing someone you’ve known your entire golfing career do something you’ve dreamed of since childhood isn’t sufficient inspiration, then nothing is.
Merion too hard?
Merion Golf Club was a brutal test, and, predictably, many have come out saying it was just too difficult. What nonsense. Granted, the third hole and the pin position on five were extremely challenging, but the final round was as pulsating as any professional golf event in recent history. That feeling of excitement stemmed from sheer unpredictability - a direct product of the course, the conditions and the way the Merion was set up. If you don’t like watching players scramble for pars, switch on any other week. I, for one, hope the USGA don’t ever listen to the naysayers.
McIlroy & Woods
Well, what a disappointing championship for the world’s number one and two. Woods simply didn’t hit enough fairways or hole enough putts, and McIlroy still looks some way short of major-winning form. Their lack of success was arguably good for the game of golf, though. It proved to a global audience that the professional game is bigger than these two superstars. Today’s golfing talent pool is incredibly deep, and tournaments like the US Open help to demonstrate that.
Next week, the PGA Tour moves to Connecticut for the Travelers Championship, and the European Tour is in Germany for the BMW International Open.
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