PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland won the U.S. Open today, holding off France’s Gregory Havret to become the first European to win America’s national championship since 1970.
McDowell shot a 3-over-par 74 on a difficult day at Pebble Beach to finish at even-par 284 for the tournament and win by one. Third-round leader Dustin Johnson began the day 6 under par but lost five strokes to par on holes 2 and 3 and continued to lose ground.
Havret, a Frenchman ranked 391st in the world, played in the same group with Tiger Woods and didn’t let it bother him. He was within one of McDowell with two holes left but couldn’t make birdie on the par-5 18th to tie.
Ernie Els finished third at 2 over.
Woods made four bogeys on the front nine on the way to a 4-over 75. He tied for fourth with Phil Mickelson, the same spot where he finished at the Masters in April.
See Monday’s sports section for more coverage.