Jordan Spieth wins the 2015 U.S. Open
By Mike Dyce
Jordan Spieth won the 2015 United States Open at Chambers Bay.
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Coming into the final round of the United States Open on Sunday, there was a tie for the lead. Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Branden Grace and Jordan Spieth were all at -4 through three rounds. That set up a thrilling finish to the tournament.
Heading into the back nine of the final round, Grace and Spieth were able to pass Johnson, who climbed to the top of the leaderboard early in the final round, to share the lead.
Spieth broke the dead lock with Grace on the 16th hole, scoring a birdie and moving to -6 to take sole possession of first place.
It also helped that during the same hole, Grace found himself in trouble with with a shot out of bounds. He finished with a double-bogey to drop to -3 in the tournament.
It gave Spieth a comfortable three stroke lead heading into the final two holes of the tournament, one that looked destined to head towards a playoff.
Meanwhile Louis Oosthuizen wrapped up a dominant back nine where he shot 29, scoring a birdie on six of the last nine.
But the Chambers Bay course was unforgiving and Spieth’s drive on the 17th went to the right and landed in some deep grass to the right of the bunker. A double-bogey on the hole dropped him to -4, tying him with Oosthuizen for the lead.
Johnson was charging once again playing behind Spieth, and managed to get a birdie to move to -4 on the 17th while Spieth was on the 18th. That made it a three-way tie atop the leaderboard.
Almost at the same time, Spieth was back to his dominant form once again. He reached the green on his second stroke to set up an eagle attempt with a thrilling and spectacular shot.
Spieth missed the eagle attempt narrowly and settled instead for a birdie, which was good enough to move him into first place with -5 through 72 holes.
That ended Oosthuizen’s hopes, but Dustin Johnson came into the 18th looking to win or force a playoff.
Like Spieth, Johnson hit an incredible shot to reach the green on the 18th and set up an eagle attempt, which would win him the U.S. Open.
His eagle putt missed however, setting up a birdie attempt to tie Spieth and force a playoff. Johnson also missed the birdie point somewhat shockingly, three putting the final hole and handing Jordan Spieth the win.
That gives Spieth his second major win of the year, having won The Masters earlier in the year. That feat puts him in incredible company.
Jordan Spieth becomes 6th golfer to win U.S. Open and The Masters in same year, joining some impressive company. pic.twitter.com/o8ZtEKMU5B
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 22, 2015
Rory McIlroy made a charge during the final round but faltered down the stretch, shooting -4 on the day to finish at even in the tournament. Like McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel shot a 66 to make a charge and finished the tournament at -2. Adam Scott had a big day as well, shooting a 64 to finish at -3.
Unfortunately the U.S. Open will be most likely be remembered for the horrendous conditions on the golf course. For instance, look at Brandt Snedeker’s putt from the 14th hole during the final round of the tournament.
Criticism of the course flowed.
“The worst golf course I might’ve ever seen in the 63 years as a professional golfer,” Gary Player – who won the 1965 U.S. Open – said, via ESPN. “The USGA, who I admire and have chosen great golf courses in this great United States of America — they’re preaching speed of play. Enjoyment. User-friendly. This golf course here, if you’re a 10-handicap, you couldn’t break 100 if you had the best day of your life. They’ve got pros putting from 20 feet and hitting the ball 20 foot to the right, a man misses the green by a yard and he’s 50 yards down in the valley. I mean I don’t understand it.”
Spieth was also critical of Chambers Bay, and called No. 18 “the dumbest hole I’ve ever played in my life.” Interesting coming from Spieth who excelled on the back nine.
Fortunately the U.S. Open returns to some classic courses over the next six years, starting with the reliable Oakmont Country Club who has hosted the tournament on eight previous occasions.
Future U.S. Open locations:
| 2016 | 116th | Oakmont Country Club | Oakmont, Pennsylvania | June 16–19 |
| 2017 | 117th | Erin Hills | Erin, Wisconsin | June 15–18 |
| 2018 | 118th | Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | Shinnecock Hills, New York | June 14–17 |
| 2019 | 119th | Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach, California | June 13–16 |
| 2020 | 120th | Winged Foot Golf Club | Mamaroneck, New York | June 18–21 |
| 2021 | 121st | Torrey Pines Golf Course | La Jolla, California | June 17–20 |