Olin Dutra, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino and David Graham had all won U.S. Opens at Merion. With Graham’s victory coming 32 years ago, many questioned the logic of bringing back America’s national championship to a venue that some deemed obsolete in the face of modern technology, in addition to not being logistically able to host a modern major championship. While the latter may be true, with the USGA having to reduce attendance figures by almost to 50%, the former most certainly wasn’t. Merion provided an astonishingly difficult challenge to the assembled players of this 113th United States Open.
But in the end, despite the brutality of the setup, someone was always going to win. That player was going to be the individual who managed his game best, controlled his golf ball, but most of all dealt with the mental challenge of competing on such a course under the sternest pressure. That man was Justin Rose.
After an unpredictable, compelling and thrilling final round, it was the 32-year-old Englishman who stood tallest. He remained composed throughout, took the rough with the smooth and just confidently continued on a path that would see him become England’s first U.S. Open Champion since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
Also becoming England’s first major champion since Nick Faldo’s victory in 1996, Rose remained focussed and intense throughout as he tackled Merion’s treacherous closing holes, before channelling the spirit of Ben Hogan on the 18th. Holding a one-shot lead at the time, Rose hit a perfect drive, landing just yards from the plaque commemorating Ben Hogan’s iconic one-iron shot in 1950. As he waited for the green ahead to clear, realising that a par would likely clinch his first major championship, Rose took notice of the plaque and thought to himself: "It's my turn."
He certainly was, as he hit the most perfectly struck iron shot that just ran through Merion’s penal 18th green. He would get up and down for par, and clinch what eventually become a two shot victory over Jason Day and Phil Mickelson.
It was at this moment, after tapping in for par, knowing that his work was done; Rose looked up into the sky and reflected on his late father Ken as the tears filled in eyes. Ken Rose was a guiding figure in his son’s life and early career, often caddying for Justin in his early days as a professional. Ken was almost a constant presence by Justin’s side, from his incredible tie fourth at Royal Birkdale in 1998 at the age of 17, to his debut in America’s major championships. But sadly, Ken would never live to see his son’s greatest achievements, as he passed away from leukaemia in 2002.
Justin Rose reflected on the emotion after winning the U.S. Open on Father’s Day, with his Dad at the forefront of his thoughts. "A lot of us come from great men and we have a responsibility to our children to show what a great man can be," said 32-year-old when he was presented with the trophy on the 18th green."I couldn't help but look up to the heavens and think that my old dad Ken had something to do with it."
On Father’s Day, Justin provided the ultimate gift to his late Father’s memory.
From a golfing standpoint, Justin’s victory is the pinnacle of a remarkable story from his early days as a teenager. At the age of 17, he finished in a tie for fourth at the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He soon turned professional, but would miss the first 21 consecutive cuts of his career. That could have broken the will of a young man, but it strengthened Justin’s resolve. Since those dark days he has improved and developed immeasurably as a player; winning the European Tour’s Order of Merit in 2007, before becoming a multiple time champion on the PGA Tour; including winning the 2012 WGC Cadillac Championship.
Earlier this year, he had ascended to third in the Official World Golf Rankings, as his superb ball striking ability, arguably the best in the game, saw him regularly contend. A major championship victory was in his horizon, and at Merion he took his opportunity and became England’s first major champion of the 21st century.
On Sunday, the boy from Birkdale became a man at Merion.
All of the attention and expectation had been on 54-hole leader Phil Mickelson, to see whether he could finally win a U.S. Open after a record five runner-up finishes. Ultimately, the fairytale story didn’t come true for Mickelson on his 43rd birthday, as costly mistakes on the 13th and 15th, coming from poor wedge shots, cost him dearly in his quest to win the Championship he had dreamt to win as a boy.
Reflecting on a heartbreaking sixth second place in the U.S. Open, Mickelson reflected: "This is tough to swallow after coming so close. This was my best chance on a golf course I really liked. I felt like this was as good an opportunity as you could ask for and to not do it hurts."
Mickelson would have been the magical story, but once again in the U.S. Open; it just wasn’t to be. After remarkably holing his second shot from the rough for eagle on the 10th, the four-time major champion will forever rue the mistakes he made on the closing holes. He will return next year to Pinehurst, site of his first second-place finish in 1999, approaching his 44th birthday. Only Hale Irwin has won the Championship at an older age, and Mickelson’s window of opportunity is starting to close in the face of time, and the continuing increase in genuine contenders from all over the world.
The depth of contenders in a U.S. Open these days can be illustrated in the fact that seven of the last eight winners have been first-time major champions.
Someone who is seemingly in contention at each major; is Jason Day, who finished in a tie for second with Mickelson. This was the 25-year-old Australian’s third runner-up finish in a major. Coming off a third place finish at the Masters in April, Day has become a perennial major contender.
His next opportunity to contend will come at the 142nd Open Championship, which is now just 31 days away. All eyes will soon be on Muirfield as golf’s oldest major returns to one of its greatest venues in July.
Merion itself was a great venue for the U.S. Open. Certainly, the USGA’s setup could be criticised in places, but the historic old course illustrated that sometimes the old ways truly are the best. It was a nostalgic look back in time at a venue that has been the site of so many of golf’s most iconic moments. It’s quite possible we may never see a U.S. Open again at Merion, as the sheer scale of a modern major championship has long outstretched the capabilities of a property measuring just 111 acres. However, Merion once again proved its worth and strength, defied the critics, and it has once again left an indelible imprint in the fabric of the United States Open.
Justin Rose has joined the legends of Merion. He has reached the pinnacle of the game, and he most certainly has the capabilities for more. He has the talent, and he crucially has the mentality to succeed in the major championships. He now has one to his name, but one of the game’s finest gentlemen will be looking to Muirfield to add to his tally soon.
Merion was the subject, the USGA set the examination, and Justin Rose passed the test.
He is the winner of the 113th United States Open Championship.