The finish to the golf last night is the reason we love this game. It is so unpredictable. After the first three rounds of this years United States Open, the winner of the event was still unclear. It was the back nine holes on Sunday that the event eventually caught fire and when the best golf of the week was played. It made for enthralling viewing and kept us on the edge of our couch until late into the night! It was a week of up and downs for many players but it was a young Texan who eventually stole the show and his second consecutive Major Championship.
Young Jordan Spieth was a deserving winner of this years second Major. By winning last night, he showed himself to be the top contender to Rory Mcilroy`s No.1 ranking. With a putting stroke that has seen him win 5 times before last night, it wont be the last time you see Jordan Spieth lift a Major title in his career….maybe even again this year!
The Bridesmaid once again. Dustin Johnson came within inches of winning his first Major title. Then only to see his three foot putt to force a playoff slide by the hole once more. In a season which has seen him return from a “self imposed” break from golf, it has already been a successful year. He has one win under his belf but for a man with this much talent, regular tour wins are not enough. Last nights so called “collapse ” was only another close call for the big hitting American. Most will say that he crumbled. I beg to differ. His first putt on the 18th green was a putt to win in which he did not leave short. He gave it a go and for that he has to be commended. Others would have been happy to two putt and take a playoff. Johnson`s will to win is evident in his 9 PGA tour victories to date and dont be surprised if he is lifting the Claret Jug in Scotland next month.
It was too little too late this week for Rory Mcilroy. After a slow start to the tournament, the Ulster man was left with too much to do in the final round. Although he did provide some excellent golf in his last round, it was always going to be too much to ask for him to be victorious. With his game appearing to be heading in the right direction after a short break from playing, he will head to St.Andrews to defend his Open title with great expectation.
One of the stories of the week was that of Jason Day. After collapsing near the end of his second round, many thought that he would retire for the week. With a suspected case of vertigo, the Aussie was still in the hunt heading down the stretch on Sunday. It just goes to show the fighting spirit that Day possesses and although his bid for Major glory eluded him, that first win cant be far around the corner!
Where does Tiger Woods go from here? Another missed cut and a sign that his game is not getting any better, but in fact getting worse. The Tiger that helped revolutionise the game I fear may have vanished. It is quite sad to see a man who amazed us on a weekly basis now struggle the way he has. If this continues it may tarnish the reputation he has built for himself over the last fifteen years. Will we see the Tiger of old once more? I hope for the young kids watching today that we do so they too can see the brillance this man is capable of.
From an Irish perspective, it was fantastic to see Shane Lowry in the hunt for so long last night. The Clara man has seen a steady improvment in his game in recent times and now after last night, he must feel a big win is around the corner. With the next two Major Championships on links style courses, it will be no surprise to see a reapeat of last nights performance. With a shortgame to rival the worlds best and a confidence that is growing each week, he must come into consideration for a pick at next months British Open. With Rory in the spotlight that week as defending champion, Lowry may sneek under the radar that week and capture the biggest win of his career.
by Eoghan Keniry 22nd June 2015