Michael Campbell answered every challenge Tiger Woods threw his way Sunday afternoon until a U.S. Open full of surprises got the biggest one of them all. Woods blinked first.
Ten years after being touted as a rising star, Campbell finally delivered a major championship no one expected with clutch par saves and a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole that proved to be the knockout punch.
The only drama at the end was whether Campbell would beat Pinehurst No. 2. He missed a 3-foot par putt on the final hole for a 1-under 69 to finish the tournament at even par.
It was good enough for a two-shot victory over Woods, who charged along the back nine until missing an 8-foot par putt on the 16th hole, then three-putting from 25 feet on the par-3 17th, the same hole that doomed his chances at Pinehurst six years ago.
Campbell raised his arms when the final putt fell and looked to the sky, stunned by a crowning moment in a career that looked so promising in the British Open at St. Andrews 10 years ago, and suddenly felt so fulfilled.
The 36-year-old New Zealander tugged his cap down over his face and then dabbed at his eyes. After hugs with his caddie and playing partner Olin Browne, Campbell thrust his first in the air and threw his ball into the crowd.
The last hug was for Woods' caddie, Steve Williams, a fellow New Zealander.
Campbell, who finished at even-par 280, became the first Kiwi to win a major championship since Bob Charles in the 1963 British Open.
Woods stayed behind the 18th green and watched Campbell finish, gently rubbing a clenched fist over his lips as he stared back toward the 17th green, wondering how another U.S. Open at Pinehurst got away from him.
"Unfortunately, it's frustrating," Woods said after a 69, one only four rounds under par on the final day. "If I putt just normal, I'm looking pretty good."
Woods finished at 2-over 282, only the second time he has finished second in a major.
There might not have been any tense moments if not for Retief Goosen, the two-time U.S. Open champion who turned in a collapse that ranks among the greatest in major championship history. He lost his three-shot lead in three holes and crashed in spectacular fashion, closing with an 81.
Jason Gore, who had the massive crowd cheering on the 818th-ranked player in the world, shot 84. Browne, who also started the final round three shots from the lead, closed with an 80.
That set the stage for a duel between Campbell and Woods, and all along the back nine, it appeared it could go either way.
Michael Campbell answered every challenge Tiger Woods threw his way Sunday afternoon until a U.S. Open full of surprises got the biggest one of them all. Woods blinked first.