US Open golf: A look back at last year's final round

Sat in a quiet corner of the locker room at Olympic Club, Webb Simpson held the clubhouse lead at the 2012 US Open.

He sat nervously waiting with his wife as overnight leaders Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk tried to catch him over the difficult closing holes.

Just hours earlier, the American caught fire, making four birdies through five holes around the turn and getting up and down on the last to card a two-under 68 – the second-lowest round of the day.

Elsewhere it had not been as easy. McDowell and Furyk – both former US Open winners – struggled under the pressure and arrived at the 18th needing birdies to force extra holes with Simpson.

Furyk found a greenside bunker but McDowell left himself a lengthy yet makeable putt. When it missed, Simpson was in shock.

“I never really wrapped my mind around winning,” he said.

“This place is so demanding, and so all I was really concerned about was keeping the ball in front of me and making pars.

“It was a cool day – I had peace all day. I knew it was a tough golf corse. I probably prayed more the last three holes than I ever did in my life.”

The win immortalised Simpson and sent him into the World’s top five.