US Open: Wyndham Clark holds nerve and holds off McIlroy to win first major title
- American finishes at 10-under, one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy at Los Angeles Country Club
- World No 1 Scottie Scheffler third at seven-under, while overnight co-leader Rickie Fowler falls away and ends in tie for fifth
American Wyndham Clark won the US Open by one shot, holding his nerve despite some wobbles at the turn at Los Angeles Country Club to claim his first major title.
Clark sank a short par putt on 18 to finish the championship on 10-under par behind an impressive display of power and precision.
Rory McIlroy again fell just short, finishing on nine-under, and as with the Open Championship last year, his putting let him down when he needed it most.
“I’ve worked so hard and dreamed about this moment for so long,” said Clark while collecting the trophy and winner’s check of US$3.6 million.
“So many times I’ve visualised being in front of you guys and winning this championship. I felt like it was my time.”
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler was third at seven-under while overnight co-leader Rickie Fowler faded early and had to settle for a share of fifth.
Clark overcame trouble around the turn and looked to be in total control when a birdie on 14 pushed his lead to three shots with four holes to play.
He ran into trouble with a bogey on the short par-three 15th and his advantage shrank to a single stroke when his par putt lipped out on 16.
But he held his nerve to make par on the two long closing two holes, while McIlroy failed to sink a 41-foot birdie putt on 18 that would have moved him into a tie for first.
“It’s tough on the back nine trying to win a tournament but I felt at ease,” Clark said. “I just kept saying, I can do this, I can do this.”
He said he drew inspiration from his late mother.
“I felt like my mom was watching over me today,” said Clark, who considered quitting golf a decade ago after his mother died of breast cancer.
