Argentine Cabrera wins US Open

Long-hitting Argentine Angel Cabrera became just the second South American to win a major after winning the US Open in Pennsylvania this morning by one shot from Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods.

Cabrera closed with a 1-under-par 69 in the final round to record 5-over 285 for the tournament, finishing one shot ahead of the American duo Woods and Furyk on 6-over.

Australia's Aaron Baddeley, the overnight leader, surrendered his lead early by triple-bogeying the opening hole and finished in a tie for 13th on 12-over after a horror final round of 10-over 80.

World number one Woods, hunting his 13th major title, went to the final hole needing a birdie to force a play-off, but missed a long putt that would have kept him in the hunt and closed with a 72.

Three strokes clear with three holes to play, Cabrera survived bogeys on 16 and 17 before parring the last to emulate the achievement of compatriot Roberto de Vicenzo, winner of the 1967 British Open at Hoylake.

"I was just hoping they didn't make any birdies coming in," a smiling Cabrera said after hoisting the trophy.

"After yesterday, I knew today I had to play in par or better to have a chance," he added, referring to his third-round 76.

Nervous wait

The Argentine started the fourth round trailing Baddeley by four shots and in a tie for seventh place, but went to the clubhouse with the lead after recording his second sub-par round of the tournament.

Swede Niclas Fasth birdied two of the last five holes for a 70 and fourth place at 7-over, one better than Americans David Toms (72) and Bubba Watson (74).

Woods appeared to be the likeliest winner midway through the final round after reaching the turn in 1-over 36 but he dropped his third shot of the day at the 11th after hitting his approach into a greenside bunker.

When Cabrera, who repeatedly puffed on a cigarette over the closing stretch, hit a superb wedge approach to three feet at the par-four 15th to set up his fifth birdie and move three shots clear, the tournament was effectively decided, despite his stumble on 16 and 17.

"Angel played a beautiful round of golf," Woods said. "He put the pressure on and Jim and I didn't get it done."

Leaderboard

Angel Cabrera +5 285 (69-71-76-69)
Jim Furyk +6 286 (71-75-70-70)
Tiger Woods +6 286 (71-74-69-72)
Niclas Fasth +7 287 (71-71-75-70)
David Toms +9 289 (72-72-73-72)
Bubba Watson +9 289 (70-71-74-74)
Nick Dougherty +10 290 (68-77-74-71)
Scott Verplank +10 290 (73-71-74-72)
Jerry Kelly +10 290 (74-71-73-72)
Justin Rose +11 291 (71-71-73-76)
Stephen Ames +11 291 (73-69-73-76)
Paul Casey +11 291 (77-66-72-76)

Aaron Baddeley +12 292 (72-70-70-80)
Nick O'Hern +15 295 (76-74-71-74)
Stuart Appleby +16 296 (74-72-71-79)
Matthew Goggin +18 298 (77-73-74-74)
Geoff Ogilvy +19 299 (71-75-78-75)
Marcus Fraser +20 300 (72-78-77-73)

-ABC/Reuters