Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Webb Simpson wins US Open

Updated at 6:38 pm on 18 June 2012

The American golfer Webb Simpson has won his maiden US Open title, coming home strong to take out the major tournament by one shot in San Francisco.

Simpson was four shots back before shooting a two under par 68 final round for one over overall, meaning no player finished under par on the difficult Olympic Club course.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell began in a share of the lead and had a putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff but missed, the 2010 US Open champion having to settle for second equal with first round leader Michael Thompson on two over.

The other overnight leader, the veteran American Jim Furyk, blew his chances with two bogeys in the last three holes for four over final round to finished in a five-way tie for third, one shot behind McDowell.

Tiger Woods carded a three over par 73 to miss his chances of a 15th major championship.

Simpson is the ninth straight first-time major winner, the longest streak in history.

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