DeChambeau coasts to U.S. Open glory

Bryson DeChambeau produced a sensational final round display to claim his first Major title at the U.S. Open Championship.

The 27-year-old American was the only player in the field to break par on Sunday at Winged Foot Golf Club, and did it in style with a three under par 67.

That gave DeChambeau a six under total, making him the only player to finish in red numbers for the week, with Matthew Wolff finishing six shots adrift in second.

Starting the day two behind Wolff, the 21 year old seeking to become the youngest U.S. Open winner for over a century, DeChambeau wasted little time reeling in his playing partner.

Having been wayward off the tee on Saturday, DeChambeau was straight and true for most of his final round and, allied with the power the World Number Nine has added to his game, gave himself good looks at birdie on the first two holes.

Those chances came and went but there was no mistake on the fourth, where DeChambeau converted from 13 feet.

That brought him level with Wolff, who dropped a shot at the third, with his second bogey of the day on the fifth allowing DeChambeau to hit the front.

Both players made bogey on the eighth, but then followed it with a superb pair of eagles on the par five ninth – Dechambeau holing from almost 40 feet and Wolff following him in from ten feet.

At that stage an epic back-nine battle was on the cards, but it never materialised.

Wolff dropped shots on the tenth and 14th, before making a double bogey on the 16th as holes began to run out, eventually finishing with a 75.

In contrast DeChambeau made a birdie from 13 feet on the 11th and parred his way in.

The chasing pack rarely threatened the last group out, although South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen was within striking distance following a birdie on the sixth.

However, that proved to be the only gain in his round of 73 until the 18th, which left him third on two over.

Rory McIlroy took four putts in double bogeying the first, while American Harris English lost his ball off the first tee and also recorded a six.

To his immense credit, English rallied to post a 73 to finish fourth on three over, one ahead of compatriot Xander Schauffele (74). McIlroy's 75 proved good enough for a share of eighth.

DeChambeau is just the third player after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to win an NCAA individual title, the U.S. Amateur title and a U.S. Open.

Asked at the trophy presentation what it meant to be in such exalted company, DeChambeau said: “It’s just an honour. I don’t know what else to say.

“It’s been a lot of hard work. Mr Nicklaus has been always awesome to me. He gave me a sponsor’s invite. Tiger has always been great to me.

“I can’t say thank you enough to them for helping push me along to be a better person and a better golfer as well. To be in the company of those names is special. I’ll forever appreciate that.”