How many players are kicking themselves after the final round of the U.S. Open?
Let’s start with Dustin Johnson, who shot 82. All he needed to win was a 76. Tiger Woods shot a 75, when all he needed to win was a 71. Ernie Els shot a 73, when all he needed to win was a 70. Phil Mickleson shot 73, when all he needed was a 69.
The last three winners on the PGA Tour have been from the British Isles, each victor breaking down a barrier. Justin Rose (Memorial) won for the first time on American soil. Lee Westwood (St. Jude) captured his first PGA Tour title in 12 years. Graeme McDowell’s Open win was his first PGA victory in 64 starts.
How much different are U.S. Open set-ups and U.S. Open pressure? Dustin Johnson’s 82 was 2 strokes higher than his previous worst round (out of 237) on the PGA Tour, at the 2008 Players.
