Spieth wins U.S. Open in stunning finish

  • By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
  • Sunday, June 21, 2015 8:03pm
  • SportsSports

UNIVERSITY PLACE — On a day of heart-stopping suspense and stunning emotional swings, Jordan Spieth won the 115th United States Open at Chambers Bay on Sunday with two birdies over the final three holes, followed moments later by an inexplicable three-putt by rival Dustin Johnson on the 18th green.

The result was a one-stroke victory for Spieth, who pocketed the winner’s paycheck of $1.8 million despite letting a three-stroke lead vanish with a shocking double-bogey on the par-3 17th hole. That mishap, coupled with a subsequent birdie by Johnson on the same hole, left the two golfers tied with one hole to play.

On the decisive par-5 18th, Spieth played a marvelous second shot to 15 feet from the pin and two-putted for a birdie. But Johnson, playing in the final twosome, played an even more marvelous second shot, stopping his ball 12½ feet from the cup.

At that point there were three possible outcomes. Johnson could sink the putt to win. He could two-putt for a tie and an 18-hole playoff Monday. Or he could miss and make Spieth the winner.

Johnson slid his first putt about 3½ feet past the hole, eliminating the first possibility. When he missed the comeback try, with his ball just kissing the left lip, it made a winner out of Spieth, who was watching on television in the nearby scorer’s tent with his caddy, Michael Greller of nearby Gig Harbor.

“I’m still in shock,” said the 21-year-old Spieth, who also won the Masters in April. “It’s a cliché to say, but I’ve never experienced a feeling like this. It’s just kind of total shock.”

“I thought that I had won it on 16. I didn’t think I had lost it after 17, but I thought I needed to play 18 well just to play (in a playoff today). And then after (Johnson) hit is second shot (to the green) I thought, ‘Shoot, I may have just lost this tournament.’ And then utter shock at the finish.”

As he watched the final dramatic moments unfold, “I was probably more nervous than I was on the course at any point. … I’m still trying to wrap my head around the finish,” Spieth said. “This was just an odd deal, very odd, and I very much feel for Dustin. He deserves to be holding the trophy just as much as I do.”

Spieth, who finished the day at 1-under-par 69 and the tournament at 5-under 275, is just the sixth golfer in history to win both the Masters and the U.S. Open in the same year, joining Craig Wood, Ben Hogan (twice), Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. In addition, Spieth is the youngest golfer to win the U.S. Open since amateur Bobby Jones in 1923, and the youngest to win two career majors since Gene Sarazen in 1922.

Hearing all those names recited at the post-tournament press conference, Spieth could only smile and shake his head.

“Those names are the greatest that have ever played the game and I don’t consider myself there yet. But I’m certainly off to, I think, the right start in order to make an impact on the history of the game,” said Spieth, who won for the third time this season and is ranked second in the world to Rory McIlroy.

“Jordan played tremendous golf,” said playing partner Branden Grace, who finished two strokes back after a round of 1-over 71. “He’s a great talent obviously. You have to be something special to win the Masters and (the U.S. Open) back to back. He’s a huge talent, and exactly what golf needs behind Rory and Tiger (Woods).”

Second place went to Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen, who tied at 4-under 276. Johnson closed with an even-par 70 while Oosthuizen, who birdied six of his final seven holes, had a 3-under 67.

Johnson led for much of the early part of Sunday’s round. But he started the back nine with three bogeys on the first four holes, and a three-stroke deficit with two holes to play made him seem an unlikely winner. One hole later he was tied, and with a reasonable eagle putt on the 18th green he seemed poised for his first major championship.

But it was not to be. With his fiancée, Paulina Gretzky, looking on, along with their young son Tatum, Paulina’s dad Wayne Gretzky, the former hockey great, and her mother Janet Jones, a former actress, Johnson twice missed putts left of the hole. Dazed, he tapped in and then left the green, just as Spieth emerged from the scorer’s tent, looking equally dazed.

“I’m disappointed that I three-putted the last hole,” Johnson said. “Other than that, I had a damn good week. I’m happy with the way I played. … I gave myself chances all day long. If I’d rolled the putter halfway decent today, I win this thing by a few shots.

“I did everything I could,” he said. “I tried my damnedest to get the ball in the hole (on 18) and I just couldn’t do it.”

The low score of the day — indeed, the low score of the entire tournament — belonged to Australian Adam Scott, who put together a bogey-free round of 6-under 64.

“I played really well,” Scott said. “I took advantage of some of the holes playing a little bit shorter, I didn’t have any disasters out there, and I hit a few good shots and took advantage of them. It’s kind of what I needed to even think of having a chance.”

McIlroy made a charge with six birdies over his first 13 holes — including a 72-foot birdie putt on No. 13, one of the shots of the tournament — to pull within a few shots of the leaders, but a deficit of eight strokes to start the day was just too much. McIlroy had bogeys on two of the last four holes for a round of 4-under 66 and a tournament total of even-par 280, putting him in a three-way tie for ninth.

“When I look back at this tournament, that’s where I’ll rue some missed opportunities,” McIlroy said. “I feel like it’s sort of one that got away, especially with the way I putted this week. But I don’t think I’ve ever hit the ball as well in a major championship.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.