Tiger Woods won the US Open at Pebble Beach yesterday, finishing on a 12-under-par 272 with a lead of 15 strokes, the biggest win in any major in history and also the lowest total in the history of the tournament.
At 12 under par Woods was also the first man to finish the US Open in double figures and his 272 total equalled the championship record of Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen, both set at the par 70 Baltusrol course, Pebble Beach's par is now 71.
Ernie Els, joint second with Miguel Angel Jimenez at 3-under, and now a runner up for both majors so far this season, described Woods' performance as close to perfection. Woods himself called it the greatest moment in his career.
"All week I had a sense of calmness I haven't had for a while," said the World number one, a winner now 26 times in his 100 starts since leaving the amateur ranks and also a winner of over 19 million US dollars world-wide.
"I felt very tranquil, even during the stormy conditions of the third round. I kept cool inside. It is hard to describe, hard to put into words the emotions going through me."
Padraig Harrington achieved the best ever US Open finish by an Irish player when he tied for fifth with Lee Westwood on 5 over. But Harrington was disappointed at coming home in 40 after earlier climbing to second spot.
"I've certainly learned a few things that will help me in the future," he said. "I just need to be a little more focused. It was okay when the adrenaline was there and I was under pressure, but I just seemed to lose it and got a little bit ragged. I'll be looking forward to US Opens more now though."
For 24-year-old champion Woods, a victory in next month's British Open will make him only the fifth player to complete the career Grand Slam.
