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Spain's Jon Rahm Wins US Open to Claim First Major Title

Reuters

   From a significant disappointment earlier in the month, Jon Rahm of
   Spain toldhimself that something good would come from that.

   It sure didn't take long for that to unfold for one of the world's
   emerginggolf stars.

   Rahm shot 4-under-par 67 in the final round of the U.S. Open to cap
   aremarkable turnaround from two weeks ago and capture his first
   majorchampionship Sunday at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

   "I'm a big believer in karma," Rahm said. "After what happened a couple
   ofweeks ago, I stayed really positive knowing big things were coming. I
   didn'tknow what it was going to be. ... I got out of Covid protocol
   early. I justfelt like the stars were aligning."

   Two weekends ago, Rahm dealt with devastation when a positive Covid-19
   testmeant he was forced to withdraw from the Memorial despite holding a
   six-shotlead after three rounds. That sent him into quarantine, putting
   his entry intothe U.S. Open in jeopardy.

   Rahm's four-round total of 6-under 278 was good for a one-shot victory
   onSouth African Louis Oosthuizen.

   Rahm had birdies on the final two holes -- both with putts of more than
   18feet -- to move to the front. It had been almost four decades since a
   golferbirdied the last two holes to win a U.S. Open.

   "I can't even believe I made the last two putts," he said.

   But Oosthuizen, who was in the final pairing, had three holes to play
   at thatpoint.

   Oosthuizen secured five consecutive pars after a bogey on the par-3
   11th, buta bogey on No. 17 pretty much ended his chances unless he
   could produce aneagle on the last hole -- something he pulled off
   Saturday on the par-5layout.

   Not this time, as he settled for birdie and a final-round 71.

   "I'll keep knocking on that major door," Oosthuizen said.

   Rahm, who became the first U.S. Open champion from Spain, was on the
   practicerange warming up for a potential playoff when the outcome was
   sealed.

   He said he feels right at home on this California course, where he won
   for thefirst time on the PGA Tour by claiming the 2017 Farmers
   Insurance Open.

   "I'm very biased," Rahm said. "I love this golf course, but I think
   it's goingto become one of those iconic venues as well."

   Rahm became a father for the first time earlier in the
   spring.Sohecelebrated Father's Day in style. He now lives in Arizona,
   but he's fond ofSan Diego.

   "Every time we come here, we're just happy," Rahm said. "As soon we
   land inSan Diego, we're like â'¬Ëwe're in our spot.' "

   Rahm, 26, tied for third place in the 2019 U.S. Open for his previous
   bestouting in a major. His background at the championship was notable
   because hewas the low amateur in 2016, when he tiedfor 23rd.

   Rahm matched for the best score in the field Sunday, with Patrick Reed
   andOosthuizen has won one major (2010 British Open) and he has six
   runner-upspots in majors. That list includes tying for second at last
   month's PGAChampionship.

   "I'm second again," Oosthuizen said. "Look, it's frustrating.
   It'sdisappointing. I'm playing good golf, but it's not winning a
   major."

   Harris English finished third at 3 under, with his final-round 68 his
   lonesub-70 score of the tournament. He had bogeys on three of the first
   fourholes, butplayed the last five holes in 3 under.

   Brooks Koepka (69), Collin Morikawa (70) and Italy's Guido Migliozzi
   (68) wereat 2 under to share fourth place.

   Russell Henley and Canada's Mackenzie Hughes, who along with Oosthuizen
   weretied atop the leaderboard through three rounds, weren't factors.
   Henley (76)tied for 13th at even for the tournament and Hughes (77)
   tied for 15th at 1over.

   There were 20 golfers within five shots of the lead when the round
   began.

   Defending champion BrysonDeChambeauwas two shots off the lead when
   thedaybegan and was 2 under for the round through eight holes and
   briefly was in thelead. He tumbled out of contention, playing Nos.
   11-17 in 8 over and ending upwith a 77. His quadruple-bogey 8 on No. 17
   was the final damage.

   "I've had plenty of times where I hit it way worse than today and I
   won,"DeChambeausaid. "It's just one of those things where I didn't have
   the rightbreaks happen at the right time."

   DeChambeau's3 over put him tied for 26th.

   PGA Championship winner Phil Mickelson shot 75 and finished 11 over,
   tying for62nd place.

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