American Jordan Spieth continued his breakout year atop the golf world by capturing the U.S. Open with a one-stroke victory Sunday for his second major of 2015.
The 21-year-old Masters champion began the final round in a four-way tie for first place with South African Branden Grace, Australian Jason Day and American Dustin Johnson. He notched a one-under-par 69 to earn the win at Chambers Bay in the northwestern state of Washington.
Spieth appeared to be cruising to victory when he stepped to the 17th tee but shot a double bogey, sending him to the final hole with Johnson and several other golfers within one stroke. But Spieth's second shot on the par 5 set him up for a birdie that got him to five strokes under par for the tournament.
"I got a nice little bounce off the side," Spieth said about his second shot that hit the edge of the green and rolled toward the hole. "Two putts later, I didn't think it would be enough, but I couldn't be more happy right now."
Johnson had an opportunity to win with an eagle putt on 18, but missed that and the chance for a birdie from about two meters away that would have forced a playoff. Instead, the ball rolled centimeters past the hole, sealing Spieth's win.
South African Louis Oosthuizen finished tied for second, while Grace and Australians Adam Scott and Cameron Smith finished in a tie for fourth at three strokes under par.
With the year's first two majors in hand, Spieth said after the round that he was not looking too far ahead to the British Open at St. Andrews next month, but did express confidence.
"Can't win them all unless you win the first two, I guess," he said.
