US Open Golf 2015: Leaderboard Results, Updated World Rankings Post-Chambers Bay
June 22, 2015
Jordan Spieth made history Sunday at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, becoming the youngest player in nearly a century to win two majors in one year after a thrilling finale to the 2015 U.S. Open.
The 21-year-old took full advantage of Dustin Johnson's struggles on the final hole, finishing one stroke ahead of his opponent after the latter needed three putts to finish his round. The first would have given him an eagle, a score of six under and the U.S. Open title; instead, he left empty-handed.
Here's a look at the leaderboard from the 2015 U.S. Open:
Johnson's struggles on the green will likely be the lasting image from this year's U.S. Open although Spieth's heroics shouldn't be overlooked. The youngster was in control of the leaderboard until the 17th hole, where it seemed a double-bogey had cost him the championship. Defying his young age, he finished his round with a birdie, which ultimately won him his second major of the season.
According to Bleacher Report, he's the youngest player to manage that feat since 1922.
Here's a look at the current World Golf Ranking, which saw few changes at the top following Sunday's result:
Official World Golf Ranking | |||||
Rank | Rank Last Week | Player | Events | AVG Points | Total Points |
1 | 1 | Rory McIlroy | 49 | 12.77 | 625.97 |
2 | 2 | Jordan Spieth | 52 | 11.06 | 574.92 |
3 | 7 | Dustin Johnson | 41 | 6.97 | 285.78 |
4 | 5 | Justin Rose | 50 | 6.65 | 332.60 |
5 | 4 | Bubba Watson | 44 | 6.64 | 292.05 |
6 | 3 | Jim Furyk | 43 | 6.61 | 284.03 |
7 | 6 | Henrik Stenson | 52 | 6.44 | 335.06 |
8 | 10 | Jason Day | 40 | 5.90 | 235.83 |
9 | 8 | Sergio Garcia | 48 | 5.84 | 280.19 |
10 | 9 | Rickie Fowler | 52 | 5.70 | 296.56 |
Pgatour.com |
Rory McIlroy remains the leader ahead of Spieth despite the latter having played in three more events and winning the last two majors. Given the fact McIlroy holds the British Open and PGA Championship titles, ESPN.com's Jason Sobel believes we might be seeing the start of a great rivalry:
Speaking to BBC Sport, Spieth himself played down talks of a potential rivalry:
It's awesome that the game is in young hands.
It's kind of cool I think to have two players holding the four majors and Rickie (Fowler) having the fifth [Players Championship].
I don't think there is much of a rivalry. I've said that from the beginning. Rory has four majors and dozens of wins and I'm just starting out.
Again, I'm certainly quite a bit younger than he is. I'm just happy to have this and to be chasing that number one spot that he holds. So I'm certainly focused on that.
The two certainly seem to be in position to dominate golf for years to come. Spieth's rise to fame this past season has been incredible, and he plays with the kind of composure you wouldn't expect to see from a 21-year-old. McIlroy remains one of the most unique talents in all of sports, and when things are clicking for the Northern Irishman, he's nearly impossible to beat.
Louis Oosthuizen finished tied for second with Johnson at four under par, and as a result, he jumps all the way up to 16th place in the world ranking. But after his three bogeys on the front nine in the final round, the South African was obviously more disappointed with the final result than he was ecstatic at his rise in the standings.
Despite his disappointment, he displayed tremendous class by congratulating Spieth on his win:
Further down the ranking, Shane Lowry secured a temporary PGA Tour card for the rest of the season with a ninth-place finish, which saw him leap back into the Top 50.
Spieth's incredible performance in 2015 will undoubtedly be compared to Tiger Woods' 2002 season, the last time a player managed to win two majors in a single campaign. But in 2015, the two appear to be headed in very different directions, via bet365:
Woods' fall from grace has been fast and ugly, but for the first time in years, American fans have a new and exciting prodigy to idolise, perhaps taking some of the pressure off Woods' shoulders. Perhaps more than anything, the 39-year-old needs to be left alone, and with time, it's likely he could discover his swing again and return to the top of the sport. Should that happen, a three-way battle for glory between Woods, Spieth and McIlroy would turn every single event into must-watch television.