Lucas Glover: U. S. Open Champion

Lucas Glover won the U. S. Open at Bethpage Black with a final round 73 to finish two shots better than Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ricky Barnes.

Glover finished the round off like a true champion.  He was one shot ahead of Mickelson, Duval and Barnes after a bogey at the 15th hole.  After a nice drive on the 16th, Glover nailed the approach shot and the following putt for birdie to go ahead of Duval.  He made a clutch par on the 17th hole before making a two-putt par from just off the back of the 18th green for the win.

Golver and Barnes, who were tied for the lead as play resumed on Monday, struggled early to allow Mickelson and Duval a chance late in the day.  Glover was three-over par through nine holes as Barnes started five-over, thanks to four straight bogeys from the fifth to eighth holes.

Barnes settled down after bogeys at the 11th and 12th holes.  He made birdie on the 13th hole to get to two-under for the tournament and just missed another birdie attempt on the final hole that would have put Barnes one shot behind Glover, adding some pressure to Glover’s par putt.

Mickelson started his charge with a birdie on the ninth hole.  He followed that up with a birdie on the 12th and an eagle on the 13th hole.  Mickelson was tied for the lead but bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes knocked him down to two-under for the tournament.

Duval was three-over par through nine holes.  He made two birdies and two bogeys on the side but it was the unfortunate thriple-bogey on the third hole that hurt the most, where he found the ball plugged on the lip of a bunker.  He rebounded on the back nine with a birdie run from the 14th to the 16th holes to put himself in a tie for the lead.  But, a bogey on the 17th hole dropped Duval into a tie with Mickelson.