By James A. Lyons
By arming the rebels, we're aiding al Qaeda
The U.S. Golf Association is not opposed to inflicting cruel and unusual punishment at its premier championship, so here's something it might want to consider.
Ever since Greg Norman's final-round implosion allowed Nick Faldo win the Masters in 1996, a generation of fine English talent has come up short in golf's four major championships.
U.S. Open champion Justin Rose has no plans to take any time off after winning his first major championship.
This wasn't the way it was supposed to end, not on Phil Mickelson's birthday and not at Merion Golf Club, where history will record with little fanfare outside of England that Justin Rose won his first major championship.
Rose's win at Merion made him the first Englishman since Tony Jacklin in 1970 at Hazeltine to win America's national championship. And he became the first from England to win any major in 17 years, dating to Nick Faldo's six-shot rally to beat Greg Norman in the 1996 Masters for his third green jacket.
The most recent golden era of golf in England had everything but the one prize that brings credibility.
Third place at the Masters. Tied for second at the U.S. Open.
Fly the Cross of St. George next to those red wicker baskets. The U.S. Open has an English champion for the first time in 43 years.
This wasn't the way it was supposed to end, not on Phil Mickelson's birthday and not at Merion Golf Club, where history will record with little fanfare outside of England that Justin Rose won his first major championship.
Justin Rose is the first Englishman to win the U.S. Open in 43 years. Rose shot a closing 70 Sunday at Merion Golf Club for a 1-over 281 total and his first major championship. He finished two shots ahead of Phil Mickelson and Jason Day.
Phil Mickelson awoke on Father Day's in a place he's never been _ having the lead to himself after 54 holes at a U.S. Open.
Third place at the Masters. Tied for second at the U.S. Open.
Phil Mickelson made eagle from the rough at the 10th hole and Justin Rose was sinking long birdie putts as the two took turns atop the leaderboard on the back nine Sunday in the final round of the U.S. Open.
Justin Rose could see all the pieces coming together in this U.S. Open.
A steady hand gave Justin Rose the shiny U.S. Open Trophy. A wild ride gave Phil Mickelson yet another silver medal.
"Father's Day was not lost on me," Rose said. "You don't have opportunities to really dedicate a win to someone you love. And today was about him and being Father's Day."
"I really hope it does inspire them," Rose said after his two-shot win over Phil Mickelson and Jason Day. "I think it was always going to be a matter of time before one of us broke through. It was just going to be who. And I always hoped it was going to be me to be the first, obviously. But I really hoped that it has broken the spell, and guys can continue to match up some for themselves."
Justin Rose's U.S. Open win ends long major drought for England →
