U.S. Open: 'Odd deal' earns Spieth new record

Jordan Spieth seemed as surprised as everyone else that Sunday at Chambers Bay ended with him holding the U.S. Open trophy and a rare opportunity to chase the Grand Slam.

“When I finished I was just hoping to be playing (Monday),” Spieth said after Dustin Johnson’s three-putt from 12 feet on the 72nd hole left the 21-year-old Texan as only the sixth player to win the Masters and U.S. Open in the same season.

In what might arguably be considered the craziest finish on the craziest golf course in U.S. Open history, Spieth survived a double bogey on the penultimate hole and had to birdie the par-5 18th to be in position for what he assumed would be an 18-hole playoff with Johnson on Monday.

On an imperfect course that drew as many jeers as cheers from players for its greens – “like putting on broccoli” Henrik Stenson said – the U.S. Open ended up providing as thrilling a finish as anyone could have hoped.

Spieth became the youngest golfer since Young Tom Morris to win two majors. On a new U.S. Open venue few players had ever seen, Spieth used the local knowledge of his caddie, Michael Greller, who spent years caddying at Chambers Bay before joining Spieth’s team.

“I didn’t have my best stuff and we were able to get it done,” Spieth said. “Michael knew this course better than anybody playing this week, and he made sure I was in the right spots without my best stuff and that’s why I won.”

Spieth’s performance was a far cry from his wire-to-wire dominance at Augusta National in April. He seemed in shock when the U.S. Open trophy fell into his lap with perhaps the most stunning in a long list of major heartbreaks for Johnson.

Despite a six-month sabbatical that left Johnson rejuvenated, his putting touch abandoned him on the back nine. His closing three-putt joined his meltdown at Pebble Beach, bunker snafu at Whistling Straits and out-of-bounds drive at Royal St. George’s on his list of major championship scars.

“Disappointed,” Johnson said. “I played really well. I didn’t make any putts today, I really didn’t. I had all the chances in the world.”

The trophy seemed to be all Spieth’s when co-leader Branden Grace sent his drive on the 16th tee out of bounds near the train tracks that border Puget Sound.

Spieth seized the moment with a 27-foot birdie putt on No. 16 that opened a seemingly insurmountable three-shot lead with two to play before his double bogey on the 17th.

That opened the door for John­son to catch up and momentarily set up Louis Oosthuizen as the clubhouse leader at 4-under. Oosthuizen rallied from an opening 77 and birdied six of the last seven holes.

Spieth eliminated Oost­huizen with a two-putt birdie on the last hole but didn’t believe it was enough when he signed for his 5-under total in the scoring trailer and waited for John­son to finish.

“I wasn’t calm and collected,” Spieth admitted. “I didn’t enjoy not being able to control it.”

When Johnson delivered his second shot to 12 feet, he had an eagle putt to bury his past and establish his legacy. It slid 4 feet past the hole, and he tugged the comebacker.

“This was just an odd deal, very odd,” Spieth said after the craziness ended. “I very much feel for Dus­tin. He deserves to be holding the trophy just as much as I do, I think.”

Spieth’s victory delivered a new name to the ledger of historic accomplishments. He joined Craig Wood, Ben Hogan (twice), Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year.

“What a kid,” said four-time major winner Ernie Els. “It’s just amazing how this game can really give you something. He’s worked hard and he’s probably the best player in the world right now. Unbelievable stuff. Great stuff.”