By Daily Sports on June 20, 2016

Ireland's Shane Lowry let slip a four-shot lead as Dustin Johnson won his first major amid a farcical finish to the 2016 US Open at Oakmont.

The controversy revolved around whether Johnson should have been penalised when his ball moved on the fifth green.

After speaking with Johnson on the 12th tee, officials informed other players a decision would be made post-round.

A penalty stroke was added to Johnson's score but he won by three from Lowry, who had three bogeys from the 14th.

American Jim Furyk shot a four-under 66 to finish tied for second with compatriot Scott Piercy (69) and Lowry.

England's Lee Westwood, playing alongside Johnson, started the day on two under par but had a 10-over 80 to finish on eight over.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) later said they wanted Johnson to know of the potential one-shot penalty so he could play accordingly.

However, it led to confusion for players and fans alike, particularly when Lowry birdied the 12th to get to four under and nobody knew for sure whether he was level with, or one behind Johnson.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut, said on Twitter while the round was in progress that no penalty was warranted and called the USGA "amateur", adding that he "wouldn't hit another shot until the farce was rectified", while world number two Jordan Spieth called it "a joke".

What did Johnson do?

The American had been standing over his ball and made two practice putts. As he prepared to address the ball to make his putting swing, his ball moved slightly. Johnson stepped away saying that he had not addressed the ball - had he done so, he would have incurred a one-shot penalty.

Johnson's playing partner Westwood could clearly be heard saying that the American had not addressed the ball.

Johnson checked with a rules official, who was happy that there had been no infringement and he went on to par the hole.

Another rules official then approached Johnson on the 12th tee and, after a discussion, decided that they needed to review the television footage of the incident on the fifth green after he had completed his round because he could face a one-stroke penalty.

The penalty stroke was eventually upheld and Johnson, who replaces McIlroy as world number three after winning the US Open, signed for a one-under-par 69.

"It's definitely sweet to get that major championship," said the 31-year-old, who claimed he was not affected by the officials' intervention.

"At that point I just thought I'd deal with it when I'm done. I tried to block it out and not let it bother me.

"Who cares, it doesn't matter any more."

It will be some retribution for Johnson who had a 12-foot putt to win last year's US Open at Chambers Bay but took three to hand the title to Jordan Spieth.

He also missed out on a first major victory when he was handed a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in what the thought was wasteland but was ruled to be a bunker at the 2010 PGA Championship. (bbc.com)

•Photo shows Johnson with trophy

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 20, 2016

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