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Glover Is Champion

By Ken Klavon, USGA

He hung around throughout the weather-marred championship, staying on the leaderboard as that guy who had only two professional victories under his belt. Lucas Glover, 29, heard all the reasons why he couldn't win. Not enough majors experience. Chances were he couldn't handle the final-round pressure. He had never made a cut in three U.S. Opens.

Yet there he was, seven under par through three rounds, right on the heels of Ricky Barnes, who only had been on a record-setting run. When the players returned to the Black Course this morning due to play being called to darkness on Sunday, Glover (4-under 276) suddenly found himself as the man to catch. Barnes had become derailed, registering four consecutive bogeys on holes five through eight.

And there was Glover, hanging on feebly, but still there at the top. When he made the turn, he held a one-stroke lead on Barnes, and was two ahead of Ross Fisher (1-under 279) and Hunter Mahan (even-par 280).

As the leaderboard showcased more movement than a Daytona 500, Glover remained when the dust cleared. When he knocked in a 3-foot putt on the 18th green, he simply took his hat off, smiled and went looking for his wife and parents, who were stationed just off the green. He also earned $1,350,000.

"It was a test of patience," said Glover, a member of the 2001 USA Walker Cup squad.

"It feels great. I didn't expect this Thursday, to say the least. But I was playing well coming in. And I knew if I put four [good rounds] together I might have a chance."

Glover won because he didn't make many critical mistakes on the back nine, turning in eight pars. Barnes, David Duval and Phil Mickelson tied for second at 2-under 278.

Glover's lone error came on the par-4 15th. He wound up three-putting, the only time he did so in the championship. However, showing no signs of final-round nerves, Glover came back on No. 16 with a birdie.

"That was huge, that was huge," said Glover. "I heard the roars ahead.

"It didn't bother me. It didn't motivate me or bother me or whatever, but just the way it is. After Tiger [Woods] finished, Phil's the man on the golf course, and that's fine. He was maybe three groups ahead. And I guess it's like what they used to say at Augusta; you could hear a 'Jack roar' at Augusta. You can hear a 'Phil roar.' I knew something was going on - kept my eye on the board."

Mickelson had been coming on hard, and the boisterous New York crowd loved it. On No. 16, Glover made a clutch birdie that put him in sole possession of the lead. Already well documented, Mickelson was trying to shake the ghosts of past Open disappointments. They wouldn't go away, finding him on the 17th green. Mickelson's putter became balky and he missed a putt inside 5 feet that essentially sealed his fate.

"The [putt] on 17 was not a good putt," said Mickelson. "I needed to give it more speed because it was slightly uphill and I didn't hit it firm enough at all."

On the 18th green, down two strokes, Barnes tried to put pressure on Glover. He had the right touch on an 18-footer for birdie, but the ball wouldn't go in, instead barely lipping the outer edge of the hole.

"He had a great putt," said Glover. "I thought he made it.

"I'd be lying to say I wasn't nervous. I had the knees knocking pretty good on 16, 17 and 18. But I pulled it off and executed some pretty good golf shots."

Barnes, meanwhile, did his best to conceal his disappointment. At one point in the championship, he had opened up a six-stroke lead.

"At the end of the day, if you have told me I would be two under and finished second in the U.S. Open, I would have taken it," said Barnes, the 2002 U.S. Amateur champion. "But I'm a little bit bummed."

It's Over: Glover Is Champion

1:21 p.m. - After Ricky Barnes missed an 18-footer for birdie, Lucas Glover sank his 3-footer for the victory. His 3-over 73 was good enough to outlast various challengers. Overall, he shot 4-under 276. When the ball fell in, he took off his hat, smiled and searched for his family.

David Duval tried to take the loss in stride. He hadn't had a top-10 finished in seven years.

"I'm pleased and encouraged with how I played, but disappointed with the result. I came in this week wanting to win this," said Duval.

On the 18th Now

1:16 p.m. - Lucas Glover made it on the green in two shots. Sort of. His ball, 24 feet from the hole, rested on the collar, going from left to right With his parents and wife, Jennifer, waiting patiently, Glover knocked it to within 3 feet.

Ricky Barnes, trying to put pressure on Glover, had the proper read on his 18-footer. The ball lipped out.

Tied For Second

1:10 p.m. - David Duval closed out his U.S. Open with a 1-over 71. He parred No. 18. He's in the clubhouse tied with Phil Mickelson for second.

Lucas Glover heads into No. 18 in good shape. He has a two-stroke lead.

Playing It Safe

1:03 p.m. - Lucas Glover stood on the par-3 17th green looking at a 20-foot putt. He knocked it close, leaving about 3 feet to go for a par. He converted for par. Ricky Barnes (-2) set up a par chance from 2 feet away.

On No. 18, David Duval , from the first fairway cut, sent his approach shot to the back part of the green, which left 24 feet to the hole.

Duval Falls

12:56 p.m. - David Duval two-putted within 5 feet on the par-3 17th for a bogey. It widened Lucas Glover's lead to two strokes. The 29-year-old former USA Walker Cup player turned professional in 2001.

It is setting up as another disappointing U.S. Open for Phil Mickelson after the crushing short miss on No. 17. On No. 18, he came close to sinking a 15-foot putt for birdie, but the ball veered right.

Mickelson finished his fourth round even par and the championship 2-under 278.

Glover Pushes Way To Top

12:50 p.m. - Just 4 feet from the hole, Lucas Glover dropped in a 4-foot birdie putt to take sole possession atop the leaderboard. Until now, the last birdie he had was on No. 16 in the third round. He leads David Duval (-3) by one stroke.

Phil Falls

12:48 p.m. - Phil Mickelson, tied going into the 17th, missed a critical putt inside 5 feet to register bogey. He dropped out of the lead.

Cheers Continue

12:42 p.m. - The 'Let's Go Phil!' cries on the par-3 17th brought a smile from Phil Mickelson as he headed toward the green. He has had seven putts on the last six holes.

David Duval just forced his way into the lead with an 8-foot birdie on the par-4 16th. So Duval, Mickelson and Lucas Glover are tied. Duval is ranked 882nd in the World Golf Ranking.

Glover Bogeys; Tied Again

12:36 p.m. - Lucas Glover couldn't convert a long putt, ultimately taking bogey. Hunter Mahan had a mis-timed bogey to fall two strokes behind the leaders. Phil Mickelson nailed a clutch par-save putt from 6 feet.

Duval Back In Hunt

12:24 p.m. - Just when he was written off, David Duval sank a crucial 18-foot putt for birdie on the par-4 15th to drop to two under, within two strokes of the lead.

Leaderboard is as follows: Glover -4, Mickelson -3, Barnes-Duval-Fisher-Mahan -2.

Mickelson Miss

12:15 p.m. - On the course's most difficult hole, Phil Mickelson registered a bogey on the severe par-4 15th.

The green is a brute. The two-tiered surface slopes from back left to the front right.

Ross Fisher and Mickelson are one stroke behind Lucas Glover.

Crammed Near The Top

12:02 p.m. - Phil Mickelson followed up his dazzling eagle with a par on No. 13. Ricky Barnes (-1) continues to fall down the leaderboard. However, he had an eagle attempt on No. 13, but after a misread, left the ball about 3 feet short of the hole. He made it and has played the first 13 holes to the tune of six over par.

On No. 15, Ross Fisher had a chance to forge a three-way tie with a birdie attempt on the par-3 14th. His 15-footer lagged and narrowly missed.

Tiger Woods said of his 1-under 69 fourth round that he missed way too many putts.

"That's just what it is," he said. "I shot over par coming in and had a lot of work to do, and I gave myself a chance going into today. As well as I hit it all day today and to miss that many putts, I've missed them all week, so that's just the way it is."

Tied Again

11:50 a.m. - Phil Mickelson eagled the par-5 13th and he catapulted to the top of the leaderboard with Lucas Glover. He had a 224-yard approach shot to reach the green, which he did, setting up a 5-foot par. His putt drew raucous cheers.

Leaderboard - Glover and Mickelson -4, Mahan -2, Barnes-Fisher-Weir -1.

Mickelson and Mahan lead the championship with the most birdies, with 17.

Making A Run

11:37 a.m. - Phil Mickelson's next three holes could have a major impact on the championship. The 13th, 14th and 15th holes are birdies waiting to happen.

With a bogey on the par-4 11th, Ricky Barnes fell to two under. Four players are now tied at two under, two strokes behind Lucas Glover.

Ross Fisher just had a glaring miss on the par-4 12th. His 2-footer lipped out. Hunter Mahan also bogeyed th hole.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods couldn't convert an 18-footer for birdie on the 18th. The ball broke right a couple feet before the hole. He finishes this year's U.S. Open even-par 280.

Mickelson Closes Gap

11:25 - Phil Mickelson registered a birdie on the par-4 12th. He's two shots behind Lucas Glover now.

Down The Homestretch

11:20 a.m. - Everyone has made the turn. Lucas Glover, Ricky Barnes and Ross Fisher have parred the par-4 10th hole. Hunter Mahan (-2) inched closer to the lead with a birdie on the par-4 11th.

Things to consider: In three U.S. Opens, Glover has never made a cut; Barnes made one in four tries; Mahan has made two of three; and Fisher played in last year's championship at Torrey Pines.

Mickelson Won't Go Away

11:01 a.m. - Phil Mickelson got up and down on the par-4 10th to remain at one under. Lucas Glover couldn't make his 20-footer to save par on the ninth, but did knock in the comebacker from about 4 feet away. However, the bogey jammed the leaderboard.

Glover - 4, Barnes - 3, Fisher-Mahan -2.

Glover Two Strokes Up

10:49 a.m. - Lucas Glover has opened up a two-stroke margin on Ricky Barnes. But the story could be Tiger Woods. He knocked in a 3-footer for birdie to jump to one under par, just four strokes back.

By the way, interesting factoid about Glover. He's the grandson of former Clemson baseball and football star Dick Hendley. Hendly played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Barnes Struggling

10:43 a.m. - On the par-3 eighth, Ricky Barnes put his ball short of the green and in the rough. Lucas Glover was facing an uphill 30-foot putt, leaving it short about 6 feet.

From the collar, Barnes had a 15-foot putt that he yanked.

Quietly making a move is Tiger Woods. He birdied the 13th hole to get to even par.

Glover In Front

10:34 a.m. - Three consecutive bogeys by Ricky Barnes has taken him out of the lead. Lucas Glover, with a par, secured the outright lead through seven holes. Barnes couldn't get up and down out of a bunker. The issue for Barnes is that he's been a club short or simply not making good golf shots.

Mahan set up a beautiful chance to save par after getting out of a greenside bunker on No. 10. He had a 3-foot putt to make.

Phil Mickelson drained an 8-foot putt for birdie on No. 9.

The leaderboard looks like this: Glover -5, Barnes -4, Mahan -2, Fisher-Hanson-Mickelson-Weir -1.

You can also follow along via our Twitter coverage: http://www.usopen.com/en_US/players/twitter/index.html

All Tied Again

10:20 a.m. - Ricky Barnes carded another bogey and fell into a lead with Lucas Glover at five under. Glover, with a golden opportunity to flip flop places with Barnes, couldn't capitalize on an 8-foot birdie attempt.

Barnes In Junk

10:14 a.m. - Ricky Barnes made two poor shots on No. 6. First, he drove into the left deep fescue, then he couldn't get out and his approach shot fluttered into more junk next to the green.

Moral Victories

10:04 a.m. - To escape with bogeys on the par-4 fifth was nothing short of remarkable for Barnes and Glover. After losing a stroke due to the unplayable penalty, Glover guided in a 4-footer that had no break. Barnes pushed in a 3-footer.

Barnes, Glover In Trouble

9:57 a.m. - Hunter Mahan, who lost in the final to Ricky Barnes in the 2002 U.S. Amateur, finessed in a 4-foot birdie to drop to three under par.

Barnes found trouble on the fifth hole. He tried a flop shot that didn't quite reach the green, bounding back into a left greenside bunker. Lucas Glover, paired with Barnes today, took an unplayable after saw his ball was plugged against the lip on the right-front greenside bunker.

David Duval isn't done yet. He followed up a birdie on the par-5 fourth with a 8-foot par save on No. 5. He's level par for the championship. Ross Fisher, after birdieing the fourth, gave it back on the next hole.

Mike Weir, silently lurking, holed out from the leftside bunker on No. 7 for birdie. He's two under.

Leaderboard looks like this: Barnes -7, Glover -6, Mahan -3, Fisher and Weir -2.

Barnes Par

9:46 a.m. - Ricky Barnes had a chance to increase his lead, but pushed a 10-foot birdie try wide. He tapped in for par. Barnes, the 2002 U.S. Amateur champion, split the fairway on his tee shot on No. 5 before it ran into the rough.

Tiger Woods showed frustration on No. 10 as his approach released early, slamming his club. He then pushed his 15-foot putt a foot right of the hole, taking a bogey.

Hunter Mahan suffered a bogey on the fifth hole. He now trails Barnes by five strokes again.

Phil Mickelson took an unplayable on No. 6 after his drive went into the deep fescue.

Mickelson Hanging On

9:39 a.m. - Phil Mickelson, looking at a 24- foot putt for birdie, was about two balls off on the left. He backed off when camera shudders could be heard. He's gone par-birdie-bogey on the hole this week. His putt curled left and stopped 2 feet away.

Tiger Woods Update

9:35 a.m. - Tiger Woods tapped in a 2-footer for par on No. 9. He'll make the turn even in his fourth round, seven shots off the lead.

On the par 4, double dog fifth, which has been eagled twice this week, Ricky Barnes carried the front bunker and rolled off the back green from about 225 yards out. There will be little chance to eagle now.

Barnes In Lead

9:29 a.m. - Lucas Glover dropped a stroke when he couldn't convert a 15-footer to save par. Barnes took sole possession when he made a wobbly 4-footer to save his par.

Right now it's Barnes - 7, Glover -6, Mahan -3, Fisher and Mickelson -2.

Barnes Trying To Save Par

9:26 a.m. - Using a 4-iron, Ricky Barnes hurried his swing and sent his ball in a left greenside bunker on the par-3 third. Incidentally, Barnes has never held a 54-hole lead in any PGA Tour event. Great bunker play by Barnes, who finessed the ball to 4 feet from the hole.

Peter Hanson got into the red with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5 and 6.

After dealing with a buried lie in a greenside bunker on No. 4, Phil Mickelson had a wonderful out to 5 feet and sank the putt to save par.

Hunter Mahan nailed an 8-footer for birdie on No. 5 to fall to three under par.

Duval Triples

9:19 a.m. - David Duval may have played himself out of trophy after triple bogeying the par-3 third. Off the tee, his ball wound up in a greenside bunker, plugged.

Barnes Steady

9:09 a.m. - Looking at a downhill putt, Ricky Barnes left it short but most likely will have an easy tap-in for par. Would be a wonderful par save.

Phil Mickelson knocked in his par putt to remain at two under par. He, along with David Duval, Ross Fisher and Hunter Mahan, are five strokes behind Barnes and Lucas Glover.

They Have Started

9:03 a.m. - Ricky Barnes started his day on a positive note. As soon as play started, he was staring at a ball in deep left rough, stuck between trees. But he muscled it out and onto the green, roughly 35 feet from the hole.

Lucas Glover sent his approach shot to within 12 feet of the flagstick.

We're Back

8:47 a.m. - Play is about to begin. Just in case, here's the ticket information again:

For play on Monday (conclusion of Round 4 and playoff, if necessary), spectators holding Thursday or Monday tickets will be admitted to the course through the admissions gates. Gates have opened for today.

If less than 90 minutes of golf are played today, Sunday tickets will also be honored on Monday.

On Monday, Thursday tickets holders who have lost or misplaced their Thursday ticket should report to one of the Will Call facilities located at Bethpage State Park.

• For individuals who purchased their tickets by mail or Web site well in advance of the championship, Will Call will verify their purchase with available records.
• Individuals who purchased tickets at the pre-championship on-site sales (June 11-14) will need to show their receipt at Will Call.

For any issues or concerns, e-mail Digital Editor Ken Klavon at kklavon@usga.org.

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