Unlikely Champion Lucas Glover Wins US Open

Phil Mickelson sought to win this year’s U.S. Open golf championship and present the trophy to his breast cancer-stricken wife. Former world No. 1 David Duval made his bid for a comeback victory after suffering from an eight-year win drought.

Defending U.S. Open champion Tiger Woods sought to pull off his second straight come-from-behind win at the tournament.

When the smoke cleared and the rain stopped, however, the unlikely champion was Lucas Glover.

In Farmingdale, New York, bad weather forced the Open to finish a day later but did not faze Glover, who was ranked 71st in the world. He missed three shots after making a birdie and four bogeys in the fourth round but made the only birdie on the 16th hole.

Finishing at four under-276 to claim his first major championship, Glover won his second PGA Tour victory since the 2005 Funai Classic and 1.35 million U.S. dollars in prize money.

Glover, who does not wear gloves, failed to make the cut three times after he turned pro in 2001. His hot temper led to his choking in pressure situations, but he is known to have relaxed at the end of last season by fishing and traveling with his wife instead of training.

Using the Matrix Ozik Xcon made by Korea’s shaft manufacturer MFS, he hit 71 percent of fairway shots and got the ball on the green 72 percent of the time in regulation.

Mickelson and Duval had tied for the lead as Glover made his fourth bogey on the 15th hole, but Glover went ahead after he birdied the 16th.

Mickelson, who has finished as runner-up five times in the Open, eagled the 13th but bogeyed the 15th and 17th. Mickelson, Duval and Ricky Barnes, who led the match the previous day, all finished tied for second at 2-under.

Woods averaged 30 putts per round and tied for sixth.

Among ethnic Korean players, Anthony Kim tied for 16th (three over) and K.J. Choi tied for 47th (12 over).

kjs0123@donga.com