Gary Woodland Wins the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, CA — June 16, 2019

Gary Woodland started the final day of the U.S. Open at 11 under par, with a one-stroke lead on Justin Rose. After Rose birdied the 1st hole they were tied. Would Woodland fold under the pressure or rise to the challenge? it was his tournament to win or lose.

Woodland birdied the next two holes to stretch his lead as Rose bogeyed the 2nd. A birdie on the 6th gave Rose hope, a bogey on 8th took it away. Rose carded 3 bogeys on the back nine to eliminate himself from contention. But Woodland still had to look over his shoulder.

Sunday Charge

Brooks Koepka has won the last two U.S. Opens in a row. He started the final round at 7 under par, 4 strokes behind Woodland. Koepka birdied four of the first five holes to charge into contention. A bogey on the 8th left him at 10 under par after nine.

Koepka birdied 11 and it looked like he was ready for another run. But, a bogey on 12 dropped back to 10 under.

Woodland also bogeyed the 12 and the lead was a single stroke. A birdie on 14 by Woodland and the margin was back to two-strokes with 4 holes to play.

The Finish

The stroke difference between the top two remained the same when Koepka walked onto the 18th tee. The 539-yard par 5 is reachable in 2 shots. An eagle would tie for the lead, a birdie would ratchet up the pressure on Woodland who was teeing off on 17. The 220-yard par 3, 17th hole is no gimmie par.

Koepka went for the 18th green in 2, his 3 iron hitting the putting surface and rolling just off the back. Woodland landed on the 17th green but with no putt possible he would have to chip over a grassy spot that lay between his ball and the hole.

Koepka could not negotiate an up and down and finished with a par to remain at 10 under. Woodland hit the shot of his life, bringing the ball to rest for a tap-in to par the 17th. Playing the final hole in a conservative fashion, Woodland was on the green in 3 and sunk a 30 footer for a birdie and an impressive three-stroke victory for his first major championship.

Tiger’s Woes

Tiger Woods was the man who won the U.S. Open in 2000 on the Pebble Beach course by 15 strokes. This week he could fare no better than even par for 4 rounds. Tiger finished in a tie for 21st.

Viktor Hovland shot a final round of 67 to finish as the low amateur at 4 under par. Brandon Wu, the Sanford University Senior who missed his graduation ceremony to play today, carded his 1st round over par. A 74 that cost him the honor.

Top Shots from the Final Round of the U.S. Open

More Photos From The Lasco Press Live Coverage of the U.S. Open

Lasco Press Photos / Jay Lasco Live at Pebble Beach

1 of 14

The Leaderboard

Where did your favorite player finish? Check it out.