Dustin Johnson wins golf's US Open despite rules fiasco
American wins at Oakmont Country Club after several near-misses in recent years
- Shane Lowry capitulates on final day of major tournament, as McIlroy and Spieth bemoan controversy
- Johnson triumphs despite being penalised after rules' incident while Shane Lowry falters at final hurdle
After various near misses in recent times, American Dustin Johnson triumphed at the US Open golf tournament on Sunday, while a controversy over the rules threatened to cast a shadow over the 116th edition at the Oakmont Country Club.
Johnson finished in style with a birdie at the last hole of a difficult course to win his first major championship.
His victory, however, came amid a controversial incident surrounding the rules in which the long-hitting golfer which led to him having a shot docked from his final card.
His victory, however, came amid a controversial incident surrounding the rules
The rules controversy was sparked when Johnson's ball moved slightly as the American was preparing to attempt his par putt at the fifth hole, shortly after his birdie attempt there from five feet broke left and slid past the cup.
Johnson denied that he had caused the movement and initally the official decided not to penalise him, only for him to be told minutes later by another that he may be punished after his round was finished. In the end he was docked a shot, but it didn´t matter as Johnson won comfortably in the end, showing nerves of steel to see out the victory.
"I've had a lot of opportunities that I didn't quite get done, so this one's definitely really sweet," Johnson said after the tournament. "I knew I was swinging well, and I just kept thinking, it's just me and the course.
"I'm playing against the course. I can't control what anyone else does. So I just tried to hit golf shots, tried to hit it on the correct side of the hole, and two-putt."
Johnson also said that the rules controversy did not affect him. "At that point, I just thought I'd deal with it when I'm done," he said. "I tried to block it out and not let it bother me. Who cares, it doesn't matter any more."
Johnson also said that the rules controversy did not affect him
But fellow professionals including Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth were not happy with how the incident was handled by the officials.
McIlroy said Johnson should not have been penalised and suggested he would not have hit another shot until the "farce was rectified" if he had been in the American's situation.