New Zealander Michael Campbell held off a charging Tiger Woods to win the 105th US Open on Sunday.
The 36-year-old Kiwi finished level par 70 for the day and level par 280 for the championship to beat Woods by two strokes.
It was a stunning showing by Campbell, who began the day four shots back of third-round leader and defending champion Retief Goosen.
But as Goosen went into meltdown, Campbell was going under-par and atop the leaderboard.
By the time he reached the turn, the US Open had turned into a shootout between the two-time former champion and Campbell.
Campbell, who missed his first five cuts on the European PGA Tour this season, refused to wilt as Woods threw back-to-back birdies at him.
Instead, he answered with a 20-foot birdie on the 12th to keep daylight between himself and Woods.
Then Woods all but gave the title to Campbell when he three-putted the par-3 17th. It left Campbell four clear with three to play.
Woods birdied the final hole but it was too little too late and he was left to ponder what might have been.
Campbell could only manage a bogey on 18 but it was enough for victory.
As the ball dropped into the hole Campbell grabbed his head in his hands and sobbed with joy and relief as he became only the second New Zealander to ever win a major.
The other was left-hander Bob Charles, the 1963 British Open champion.
It was clear over the closing holes that Campbell’s stomach was churning as he headed towards his first major and the biggest prize of his golfing life. Twice, he rushed through the crowd to find a bathroom before continuing his march to glory.
For Goosen, it was his worst nightmare come true.
Even the South African would never have thought that he could crash so badly. By the time he staggered off the 18th green, he had shot a humbling 11-over 81.
He reached the turn six-over par for his round and things did not get any better as he dropped another five on the long, lonely walk home.
Jason Gore’s fairy-tale story, a qualifier who plays the Nationwide Tour and who went out with Goosen in the final group, came to a end when the Southern Californian carded a final round 14-over 84.
Goosen and Gore managed a combined 25-over par for the closing round.
But at least his tie for 49th finish will move up from his 818th spot in the world rankings.
US journeyman pro Olin Browne, playing alongside Campbell, could not match his partner as he too slipped back down the leaderboard to finish 10-over for the tournament and the day. – Sapa-AFP