2019 U.S. Open Recap

Woodland claims first major at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach, CA – Gary Woodland (-13) kept his nerve down the stretch and played four rounds of excellent golf to claim his first major at one golf’s most iconic venues. Known for his power, the 35-year-old American has been putting together complete performances as of late and he put an exclamation point on his ascendancy Sunday evening at Pebble Beach. Woodland finished 3 clear of two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka.

With Koepka getting off to a hot start on Sunday, birdieing 4 of his first 5 holes, Woodland had to keep up the pace to fend off the charge. He did just that with a clutch birdie on 14 and an all-world par thanks to what may be a career-defining chip off the green at 17. His emphatic birdie putt on 18 was the icing on the cake, sealing a final round 69 to cap off rounds of 68, 65, and 69.

Other notable finishes included Justin Rose, who was one of the favorites to win until a disappointing final round 74; Xander Schauffele, who finished T3 at -7 alongside Rose, Jon Rahm, and Chez Reavie, and showed that he is a top 10 machine in the majors; and Viktor Hovland, the amateur from Oklahoma State who turns pro next week, won the U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach last year, and finished T11 at -4 with a final round 67 that saw him break Jack Nicklaus’ four round scoring record for an amateur in a major championship.

With the victory, Woodland adds to his 3 previous career victories on the PGA Tour. He will now look to build on his impressive play and turn his familiar top 10 finishes into more victories.

Next week, the PGA Tour heads to the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT. The field includes players such as Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, Tommy Fleetwood, Jason Day, and Brooks Koepka. The world’s top two amateurs and former teammates at Oklahoma State, Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff will also make their professional debuts.