U.S. Open Recap and Breakdown of the Top 5
For first time in his career, Bryson DeChambeau is a major champion.
The 27-year-old American was able to conquer the difficult Winged Foot course to take the 120th U.S. Open title, finishing six strokes under par and being the only golfer to finish under par at all.
DeChambeau entered the final round at three under, two shots behind then leader Matthew Wolff, but delivered a final-round 67 to claim the title while Wolff faded.
DeChambeau played similarly throughout the week, starting with a one-under 69 in the first round, followed by 68 in the second round and 70 in the third to set up his final-round triumph.
He was a man on a mission Sunday, only firing one bogey while also having two birdies and an eagle on a course that had largely seen over-par scores throughout the week.
Second-place Matthew Wolff entered the final round at five under par, having shot that low on Saturday. But in just his second major start, the 21-year-old American could not duplicate such success on Sunday. Wolff shot a five-over 75, eliminating him from contention. Still, he finished second in the tournament at even par.
Wolff himself had a fine start to his tournament, firing 66 on Thursday, but he would shoot 74 on Friday to enter the weekend at even par. He then had his six-birdie 65 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead heading into Sunday before the aforementioned 75 relegated him to second.
Third-place Louis Oosthuizen had a difficult but rewarding Sunday at Winged Foot. Entering the round four shots behind at one under, the South African would record five bogeys but also two birdies, including one on the 18 the hole, to secure third for the tournament.
Oosthuizen began his week with a three-under 67. He, like Wolff, would have a less spectacular 74 on Friday, but rallied through the weekend, finishing with hard-fought rounds of 68 and 73 to claim third.
Fourth-place Harris English capped off a rather nice week of his own Sunday, also shooting 73 to claim fourth. English began the day with a double bogey on the par-four first hole and would go on to have four more bogeys, but the American also shot three birdies to lessen the damage.
English began the week with a two-under 68 on Thursday, maintaining that two under with 70 on Friday. He would then fire 72 on moving day to enter the final round five back, tied for fourth. This tie became a solo fourth by Sunday’s end: a strong result for English.
Fifth-place Xander Schauffele also entered Sunday at even-par for the tournament but had a less spectacular final day. After parring the first three holes, the American had back-to-back bogeys on the fourth and fifth. He would get those back with birdies on eight and nine, but his round went south after five consecutive bogeys on holes 13 through 17. He did, however, birdie the 18th for 74, rounding out the top five.
Schauffele started his week off with a two-under 68 in the first round before reverting back to even par with 72 on Friday. He then had an eventful even-par day on Saturday, a round that included an eagle on the par-five ninth. Starting Sunday five back, Schauffele didn’t get closer to the lead, but his 74 still allowed him to secure a top-five finish.
Logan Groeneveld-Meijer is a freshman majoring in journalism. To contact him, email lsg5237@psu.edu.
