Jon Rahm became the first US Open champion from Spain when he finished with two brilliant birdies to outlast Louis Oosthuizen by one stroke at Torrey Pines on Sunday.
An emotional Rahm quickly dedicated the victory to his late compatriot Seve Ballesteros, the man who put Spain on the golfing map by winning five major titles before dying of brain cancer at age 54.
“This is definitely for Seve. I know he wanted to win this one most of all,” said Rahm, his voice cracking with emotion.
Rahm edged South African Oosthuizen in a wild battle of attrition that finally turned into a two-man race.
Rahm was the only serious contender to avoid a bogey on the inward half, and he timed his run perfectly by sinking lengthy, sharply-breaking putts at the 17th and 18th holes.
He shot 67 for a six-under-par 278 total, and was confirmed as the champion when Oosthuizen was unable to eagle the par-five 18th.