Justin Rose Wins The US Open, Phil Mickelson Misses A Miracle Chip On The 18th Hole To Force A Playoff
It was an absolute bloodbath at Merion Golf Club this week.
Rose's winning score was 1-over, and only three players shot lower than 5-over.
It's the fourth time in the last eight years that the winning score at the US Open has been over par.
While Rose didn't bury a bunch of birdies or eagles, he made pars when he needed to make pars — which is more than you can say for most of the field.
On the notoriously tough 18th hole, he hit two beautiful iron shots and took two putts to post a 1-over.
He's the first Englishman to win a major since Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters.
Phil Mickelson came into the day with the lead, but he couldn't find a birdie down the stretch. He was one back of Rose when he had a great birdie opportunity on the 16th hole, but he blew it past the edge of the hole. He then got a par on the 17th, and was unable to give himself a birdie putt on the 18th.
He had this pitch to force a playoff on 18, but he missed it (via USA Today's Nick Schwartz):
This is Mickelson's sixth second-place finish at a major.
This tournament will be remembered for being way more difficult than anyone expected it to be. Rose, more than anyone else, was able to manage his mistakes, and now he's a major champion.
Rose giving his wife a smooch:
Looking to the sky after the win:
And with the trophy:
