Dustin Johnson has defied a controversial decision by the USGA to win the US Open by three shots at Oakmont.
The 31-year-old has suffered heartbreak at major tournaments in the past and there were fears that the actions of the competition organisers could see the American miss out yet again after an incident on the fifth hole was left unresolved until the end of play.
Johnson was informed on the 12th tee that he may be docked a shot after his ball moved fractionally on the fifth green as he prepared his putt for par, but although he was eventually forced to concede a shot, he still finished clear of the field after a composed performance during the final round.
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He began four shots adrift of Shane Lowry but as the Irishman started poorly in the final group, Johnson went through his opening 13 holes in one-under-par and it allowed him to lead the tournament during the final stages.
Soon after news emerged of his potential penalty, he dropped a shot at the 14th but he registered pars at the next three holes before a pin-point approach shot at 18 left him a four-foot putt for victory.
He showed little in the way of nerves in holing his attempt to finish four shots ahead of Jim Furyk and Scott Piercy who were already in the clubhouse, and although he would drop down to four-under-par in the clubhouse, it mattered little as he finally ended his Major hoodoo - almost six years after it started at the USPGA Championship in 2010.
Lowry recorded a par on the last to join Furyk and Piercy in a tie for second, while Sergio Garcia and Branden Grace shared fifth place after faltering down the stretch.
World number one Jason Day was eighth while the best-performing Englishmen were Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan, who ended the tournament in a tie for 23rd position.
Darren Plant
