South African-born Justin Rose wins US Open MyZA

Pure delight: Justin Rose kisses the US Open Trophy. Photo: Mail Online

South African-born Justin Rose became the first Englishman to win golf’s US Open since 1970 with victory at Merion yesterday. Rose followed in the footsteps of Tony Jacklin 43 years ago by dramatically winning the championship in Pennsylvania last night.

He also ended the long wait for a major winner since Sir Nick Faldo won the Masters championship in 1996. An emotional Rose paid tribute to his father as he spoke of his victory.

Rose scored 70 in his final round to finish one over par and condemn Phil Mickelson to his sixth runners-up finish in the event on his 43rd birthday, finishing two shots behind alongside Australian Jason Day.

Although he is the first Englishman to triumph since Tony Jacklin ten years before he was even born, Rose is the third European winner of the US Open in the last four years.

Rose began the day two shots off the lead held by Mickelson but soon caught him. But he was pushed all the way by his rivals in a dramatic finish.

As he sunk his winning putt, an emotional Rose looked to the heavens in tribute to his father Ken who introduced him to the sport, but died of leukemia in 2002.

He told reporters afterwards: “You saw me look to the heavens with it being Father’s Day – I was just trying to remember my dad.

“My coach Sean Foley sent me a text this morning which said ‘Go out there and be the man that your dad taught you to be and that your kids can look up to’.” – Mail Online