For four days Bethpage Black was the scene of some miserable weather, so-so golf and heckling fans, on Monday the rain stayed away and a fabulous final round was played. Six golfers were within two strokes or less of the lead with three holes to play in the tournament, but it was Lucas Glover, a player with one career win, who outplayed them all to win the U.S. Open.
Glover posted a final round score of 73 (+3) to finish the championship at 4-under. It was enough as his competition melted away over the final few holes. Phil Mickelson, with the crowd squarely behind him, made a charge on the back nine, getting a share of the lead a 4-under. But Phil missed a 3-footer for par on 15 and a 6-footer for par on 17 to finish in a tie for second, the fifth time he has been the runner up in this tournament.
David Duval, who entered the tournament ranked 882nd in the world, overcame a shaky start to finish at -2. It’s the best he has played in years and his finish will gain him automatic entry into the British Open, and The Masters.
But the day belonged to Glover, a native of South Carolina, who also happens to be a Yankee fan. As he accepted the trophy on the 18th green, Glover told the crowd, “We’ve got to get the Yankees turned around New York.” And just like that he finally won over the Bethpage galleries.
