Justin Rose didn't exactly tame Merion but he did a better job than every other golfer competing in the 2013 U.S. Open.
The 32-year-old emerged from a tight group at the top of the leaderboard during the final round on Sunday that included Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan and Jason Day to win the 113th U.S. Open. After Rose got into the clubhouse at 1-over par for the week, Mickelson needed to birdie the 18th hole to force a playoff. No other player had yet to card a birde on the 18th at Merion. Mickelson would not be the first, giving Rose the win.
Mickelson would bogey the 18th to fall into a tie for second place with Day. Mickelson now has six career runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open.
"Heartbreak," Mickelson said after finishing on Sunday, via The Associated Press. "This is tough to swallow after coming so close. This was my best chance of all of them. I had a golf course I really liked. I felt this was as good an opportunity as you could ask for. It really hurts."
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Tiger Woods was not a factor on the final day at Merion, teeing off well before the leaders on Sunday. Woods capped a rough weekend with a 4-over 74 in his final round, finishing at 13-over par for the weekend.
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ARDMORE, Pa. — Justin Rose is the first Englishman to win the U.S. Open in 43 years.
Rose shot a closing 70 Sunday at Merion Golf Club for a 1-over 281 total and his first major championship. He finished two shots ahead of Phil Mickelson and Jason Day.
The 32-year-old Rose overcame his share of misadventures on a challenging course. He took the solo lead for good when Mickelson and Mahan both dropped shots at No. 15.
He finished with a tap-in for par at the 18th, a hole that didn't yield a birdie over the final two rounds.
It's been a long wait for England since Tony Jacklin won the trophy in 1970. Rose has been in contention before. He tied for fifth in 2003 and tied for 10th in 2007.