Justin Rose a deserving US Open winner

Pretty much as I expected, Merion proved to be a stern test for the best golfers in the world. The US Open has always taken pride in providing a course that provides “the toughest tough in golf”.

And even though one can argue that the United States Golf Association went a bit too extreme at times in defending a classic golf course, there can be no argument about the fact that Justin Rose played solid golf, especially over the last 10-12 holes, and was a deserving winner.

Of course, Phil Mickelson led the tournament throughout the first 54 holes but, as most us professional golfers will tell you, it is the business end of the tournament that really matters. And the American, barring that stunning second shot on the 10th where he holed his wedge shot for an eagle, did not do much to contend for what would have been his first US Open title.

In fact, it was always going to be a case of who handles the golf course best and keeps making the pars. Simply because the way the pins were tucked, there never was going to be many birdies and that rules out the chances of any stunning charge being mounted on the leaders.

The likeliest scenario, when a golf course is set up in such a demanding manner, is that most players will start falling back, until the most persevering player is left standing alone in front. And that’s what happened on Sunday. Steve Stricker was never a factor after the embarrassment of making an eight on the second hole, and Luke Donald faded away, perhaps shaken up after his errant tee shot on the third hit a girl.

Charl Schwartzel started well with an early birdie, but then hit the bogey trail, while Billy Horschel just could not make a move on the final day. Under such circumstances, Jason Day’s one-over par round of 71 was worth its weight in gold. The Australian, who has made a habit of contending in the Majors, was rewarded with a tied second place alongside Mickelson.

But the man of the moment was Rose. He has been in the mix with some of the best players in the world for the past few years — he was the European Order of Merit champion in 2007 — but has stepped up massively in recent times. He has always been a fantastic hitter of the golf ball, but now he has the patience, the experience and, most importantly, making the putts when it is needed most.

I am making my comeback this week at the BMW International in Munich. The finger feels a lot better after the dextrose injection, but it is still not 100 per cent there. I am excited about returning to the golf course, but I will have to wait and see how it feels.

— Jeev Milkha Singh is a four-time champion on the European Tour