Woodland wins first major at US Open when Rose disappears

Gary Woodland held a one-shot lead in the final roundUS Open final leaderboard – 13 G Woodland (US); -10 B Koepka (USA); -7 J Rose (Eng), X Schauffele (USA), J Rahm (Spa), C Reavie (USA); -6 A Scott (Aus), L Oosthuizen (SA); -5 R McIlroy (NI), H Stenson (Swe), C Hadley (United States) Selected others: -4 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), M Wallace (Eng), D Willett; -3 G McDowell (NI); -2 T Woods (USA), P Casey (Eng), T Hatton (Eng); -1 S Lowry (Ire)

American Gary Woodland upheld the challenge of number one Brooks Koepka to win his first big win at the 119th US Open at Pebble Beach.

The world number 25 shot a two-under-69 to win by three out of 13 under of dual titleholder Koepka.

"It was special, I never thought the tournament was over," Woodland said.

Justin of England Rose took part of the lead with a birdie in the first hole on Sunday, but dropped out with a 74 to end in seven under par.

The 38 -year-old world number four, aiming to win the second major of his career after his success in the US Open in 2013, mapped five bogeys while finishing in a tie with Spaniard Jon Rahm and Americans Xander Schauffele and Chez Reavie.

Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland withstood a turbulent final day, including double bogeys in second and 16th place, but finished with a birdie to climb in the top 10 a t under five.

English Matt Wallace, Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick all ended a further blow back.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods started the day 11 shots off the pace and quickly slid further down the rankings with four bogeys in his first six holes.

The 43-year-old, who won the Masters victory in April, led to an impressive recovery when he threw six birdies to shoot a 69 and finish two substandards on the scene of his record-15 shots victory in 2000.

"I was able to get it under par for the week," said the 15-time great champion. "Normally that's good at a US Open, but these guys really take it to the golf course."

Resilient Woodland lands first major

It was a week that began so promisingly for Rose, who shot an opening round of 65 to hold a one-shot first-round lead – the joint – lowest score on Pebble Beach in the US Open, a record from Woods when he won the first of his three US Open titles 19 years ago.

Woodland climbed in a two-stroke lead over the Englishman at the end of round two and stretched it to four strokes at one point during Saturday's third round, but Rose wound the deficit back to one stroke at the end of the game.

And after he birdied the first on Sunday to take part of the lead at 11, it threatened to become a fascinating last-day duel.

Koepka, who started the day at seven under, signaled his intention with four birdies in his opening five holes, as well as a miracle lous par-save at the second after a quirky tee shot, to move to 11 under par.

Rose was unable to build a momentum, the second bogeying as Woodland responded with successive birdies. Koepka then dropped his first shot of the day on the eighth minute before Rose hit the same hole and Woodland & # 39; s pillow was back to three.

Woodland had carded only two bogeys in his opening round in the final. bye, but he found the rugged with a loose tee shot on the ninth and had to impose before he went down to 12 below.

Rose, who is a good friend of Woodland, recorded his worst round of the week on Sunday

Nerves seemed to be reaching the last pair, as both bogeyed the 12th and Rose fell three shots off the lead with another shot down the thirteenth and Koepka one behind his countryman.

But Koepka began to wiggle, clambering to save par through his next three holes, and Woodland seized the opportunity to build a two-shot pillow with a four-foot birdie on the par-five 14th .

The 29-year-old, who won his fourth victory at the US PGA Championship last month, and finished second at Woods at the Masters, was unable to find the birdies he was craving for, with a final-day card 68 to become the first player to record four rounds in the 60s and not win the US Open.

"It was one of the best balls I've had," said the American, trying to become only the second player to win three consecutive US Open titles, after the Scottish Willie Anderson (1903- 05).

"Unfortunately I didn't make the pits but Gary did it and congratulated him. A cool way to finish him off and go out in style.

" I thought we were an early had a game. I closed the opening and you never know what will happen later. I just tried to keep the pedal low and make some putts, but I didn't make enough holes.

"I am very pleased with how I played. I played my heart out of it, it just wasn't good enough this week."

It was left to Woodland, whose previous best finish at a Major was sixth at the US PGA Championship last year, to complete his first victory in style with a 30-foot birdie at the end.

"I have never looked too far ahead," he said. "When the putt went on 18, I let it come out. It was special to finish it here on Pebble Beach."