Former Blazer McDowell Finishes Just Shy Of Second U.S. Open Tit - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Former Blazer McDowell Finishes Just Shy Of Second U.S. Open Title

Former UAB men's golfer Graeme McDowell missed a 24-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole which would have forced a playoff, and closed play in second overall at the 112th U.S. Open at the Olympic Club.

McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, held a share of the lead with Jim Furyk at the start of the day. However, he missed the fairway on eight consecutive holes in one stretch but still gave himself a chance to tie after a birdie on the 17th.

Had McDowell sunk the long putt on No. 18, it would have forced an 18-hole playoff with Webb Simpson on Monday.

Simpson carded a final round 68 to finish play at 1-over par for the 72-hole event and celebrated his first career major championship win. Meanwhile, McDowell was forced to settle for a second-place tie with Michael Thompson, an Alabama graduate, at two-over par 282.

McDowell, UAB's 2002 Haskins Award winner, opened the event with a 69 on Thursday, followed by a 72 on Friday, a 68 on Saturday and a 73 on Sunday. He was one of just five golfers in the 156-man field to have shot two rounds in the 60s.

UAB men's golf coach Alan Kaufman followed McDowell, a two-time All-American while at UAB, throughout the weekend, just as he did when McDowell claimed the 110th U.S. Open title at Pebble Beach in 2010.