American golfer Wyndham Clark burst into tears as his final putt sank to clinch his maiden major victory.
The 29-year-old shot 10-under at the Los Angeles Country Club across the four days to score the breakthrough US Open win, holding off four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy’s drought between major wins stretches to 3295 days. His next chance will be at the British Open from July 16, where he lost last year to Australia’s Cameron Smith.
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Clark was highly emotional after securing the win.
His mother died from breast cancer when he was 19 years old, and he considered giving up golf as he struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.
“I felt like my mum was watching over me today,” he said as he fought back tears while accepting the trophy.
After putting himself in contention at LACC after an impressive opening two rounds, Clark revealed the advice from his late mother which was inspiring his tournament.
“When she was sick and I was in college, she told me, ‘Hey, play big’,” Clark told reporters.
“‘Play for something bigger than yourself. You have a platform to either witness or help or be a role model for so many people’.
“I’ve taken that to heart. When I’m out there playing, I want to do that for her. I want to show everyone the person I am and how much joy I have out there playing and hope I can inspire people to want to be like me and be better than me.
“I wish she could be here, but I know she’s proud of me, and she’s made a huge impact on my life – I am who I am today because of her.”
Rickie Fowler led for most of the tournament and started round four on top, but had a nightmare round of 5-over to blow his shot at a maiden major.
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Clark, McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler all shot even-par 70 as McIlory – the northern Irishman who’s been at the centre of the LIV battle – struggled to make ground on the American.
Aussie Smith had an impressive round of 3-under and briefly looked like putting himself in contention, but finished standalone fourth with 6-under for the tournament.
Fellow Aussie Min Woo Lee had another impressive major and finished tied for fifth on 5-under.
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