SHANE LOWRY’S CHANCE slipped away as Dustin Johnson ended years of Major misery with a come-from-behind win at the US Open.
Johnson shot 69 to finish on four-under-par — three shots clear of Lowry, who started the final round with a four-shot lead but struggled to a 76.
The Offaly native had to be content with a share of second place alongside Scott Piercy and Jim Furyk, and a prize cheque of around €660,000 ($750,000).
But Sunday’s drama at Oakmont was overshadowed by a rules controversial which looked as though it could derail Johnson’s bid for a maiden Major.
The victory was sweet for a player who bore the scar tissue of multiple near misses, most notably at last year’s US Open when he three-putted the final green to hand the win to Jordan Spieth.
But it was a perplexing final few holes for him after officials informed him at the 12th that he could be penalised for a potential rules violation back on the fifth green when his ball moved slightly as he prepared to putt.
As it turned out, the last few holes went his way. He finished with a birdie at the last and his margin was such that the victory could not be overturned even if he were penalised.
The United States Golf Association then announced that the penalty stroke would be applied.
“Feels good. Feels really good. Feels well deserved. I’ve had a lot of opportunities that I didn’t quite get it done. So this one’s definitely really sweet,” Johnson said.
It means the world. It’s Father’s Day. My birthday’s in a couple days. Couldn’t have came at a better time.
Johnson started the last 18 holes tied for second, four strokes behind Lowry.
But with his driving back to its best after a rocky third round, Johnson reached the turn in three-under 33.
That was enough to haul him level with Lowry, who minutes later promptly dropped another bogey at the ninth.
Johnson was back in the lead, as he had been at the halfway stage of the tournament, and from then on he looked to be in the clear before the upsetting news that he could be hit with a penalty stroke muddied the waters.
Uncomfortable Lowry
For Lowry it was a disappointing experience. He never looked comfortable from the moment his approach to the second hole spun back off the green.
Three holes later he dropped another one after finding a bunker off the tee and suddenly all the pressure of a major tournament was weighing heavily on his burly shoulders.
The dropped shot at nine saw him surrender the lead, and although he briefly managed to draw back level with Johnson, his normally reliable putting stroke let him down over the last few holes.
In 115 previous editions of the US Open only two players had lost a 54-hole lead of four or more strokes.
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