2005 U.S. Open Golf Championship

Infobox_Individual_Golf_Tournament
tournament_name = 2005 U.S. Open


dates = June 15 - 19, 2005
location = Pinehurst, North Carolina
course = Pinehurst No. 2
tour = PGA Tour
PGA European Tour
Japan Golf Tour
par = 70
yardage=7,217
field = 156 players, 83 after cut
cut = 149 (+9)
purse = $6,250,000
winners_share =$1,170,000
Champion = Michael Campbell
Score = 280 (E)

The 2005 United States Open Golf Championship was the 105th U.S. Open, played from June 13 to June 19, 2005 at Pinehurst Resort course No. 2. The U.S. Open returned to Pinehurst No. 2 for the first time since 1999 when Payne Stewart won his second U.S. Open four months before his death. Six years was the shortest gap between U.S. Opens at the same site since the 1946 U.S. Open. Michael Campbell won his first career major in a surprising collapse by two of the best players in the world. The event took place in the Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina. The purse was $6.25 million and Campbell earned $1.17 million.

History of U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2

The 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst was only the second U.S. Open to be played there because of the fear it would be too hot in mid-June and its abandons from a major city of populated area. In 1999 Payne Stewart won his second U.S. Open title in one of the most remarkable U.S. Open victories ever. He trailed Phil Mickelson by one stroke on the 16th hole where he then made an amazing 25-foot putt for par then moments later Mickelson missed a 7-foot putt for par. Stewart birdied 17 and holed a 15-foot par putt on 18 in one of the most dramatic finishes ever. Stewart died in a plane crash four months later. He was honored at the 2005 U.S. Open with a silhouette of Payne’s 1999 U.S. Open victory pose on the flag of the 18th green.

Round-by-round summary

First round (Thursday)

Qualifiers Olin Browne and Rocco Mediate stole the first round lead at Pinehurst No. 2. While Masters champion Tiger Woods battled to an even-par 70 and two time winner Ernie Els ground out a 71. Retief Goosen launched his title defense with a three-birdie 68 for a three-way tie for third, 2004 Masters winner Phil Mickelson returned a 69 after holing a 20-foot birdie putt at the last and world number two Vijay Singh opened with a 70.

Final round (Sunday)

Michael Campbell held off a charging Tiger Woods to clinch his maiden major title by two shots on Sunday. The 36-year-old Campbell, four off the pace overnight, collected four birdies and three bogeys to close with a one-under-par 69. Woods, who had been chasing his 10th career major, rallied from a bogey-bogey start and reeled off four birdies in the last nine holes to secure second place with a matching, best-of-the-day 69. He missed an eight-footer for par on 16 and three-putted for bogey on 17. Sergio García and South Africa's Tim Clark both carded 70s to tie for third at five over, level with Mark Hensby who registered a 74. Retief Goosen, three strokes clear overnight, threw away his chance of a third U.S. Open title by dropping six shots in the first nine holes. Five more bogeys after the turn led to a dismal 81 and a share of 11th place at eight-over 288. Jason Gore ballooned to a 14-over 84 to tie for 49th while Olin Browne returned an 80 for a share of 23rd. Ernie Els fired his lowest score of the week, a level-par 70 earning him a share of 15th at nine-over 289 while Phil Mickelson returned a 74 to finish at 12 over in a tie for 33rd.

Quotes

"I was telling myself 20 times a hole, 'keep your focus'" - Michael Campbell

"If I had putted normally, I would be looking a lot better right now" - Tiger Woods

"I figured if I could just get to even par I might be able to get into a playoff. Unfortunately, I made those two bogeys on 16 and 17 and that kind of put me out of that equation." - Tiger Woods

"It's completely changed my whole career. I can't believe I'm holding this trophy." " - Michael Campbell

" "I almost gave up golf in 1998. I had had injuries, I had lost my card. I had nowhere to play but invitations came in and it got me started again. I've won 10 times since '99." - Michael Campbell

"So I had a three-shot lead going to the last and I thought to myself: 'just keep your focus, keep your focus'. And it worked." - Retief Goosen

"I got off to a bad start and from there on it pretty much went downhill the whole way," - Retief Goosen

"I played rubbish at the end of the day. There is nothing else to say." - Retief Goosen

External links

* [http://www.usopen.com/2005/ 2005 U.S. Open official site]