June 20 (UPI) — Jon Rahm sank two clutch birdie putts late in the final round of the 121st U.S. Open golf tournament and held off Louis Oosthuizen to win his first major championship Sunday at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Rahm, who was forced to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament while holding a six-shot lead earlier this month due to COVID-19 issues, moved into a tie with Oosthuizen at 5-under par with a 24-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th hole.
The Spaniard then got up and down from a greenside bunker on the par-5 18th hole and sank an 18-foot birdie putt to grab a one-shot lead over Oosthuizen, who needed to eagle the 18th to force a playoff and could not.
Rahm, who returned to No. 1 in the world with the victory, shot a 4-under 67 in the last round and was 6-under 278 for the tournament. Oosthuizen was even par Sunday and finished at 5-under 279.
American Harris English ended in third at 3-under par. Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa and Guido Migliozzi tied for fourth at 2-under 282.