Golf: Jon Rahm does win the US Open for the first time

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"That is the power of positive thinking": US Open Champion Jon Rahm

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Jae C. Hong / AP

The Spaniard Jon Rahm has won the 121st edition of the US Open and thus his first major tournament.

The 26-year-old delivered a strong round of 67 on Sunday at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla with spectacular putts on the last two holes and distanced the South African Louis Oosthuizen by one stroke.

In total, Rahm stayed six strokes under par after the four days. A Spaniard had never won this title before.

Rahm had only tested positive for the corona virus during a tournament at the beginning of the month and had to drop out as the leader.

On the Californian coast he now has birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes.

With the first from a good eight meters, he took the lead from Oosthuizen.

With the second from five meters, Rahm made the win perfect.

"I find it difficult to explain what just happened because I can't even believe that I did the last two putts," said Rahm, dedicating his compatriot success to Severiano Ballesteros.

"The win was definitely for Seve," said Rahm.

Ballesteros died in 2011.

Kaymer and DeChambeau share 26th place

Germany's top golfer Martin Kaymer fell back five places on the final day and finished the major like defending champion Bryson DeChambeau in 26th place.

He was nine strokes short of the top after the 73 lap on Sunday.

A weak start with four bogeys in a row on lanes four to seven cost the 36-year-old after the strong performances on the second and third day with 68 and 69 rounds early on all prospects of a significantly better performance.

sak / sid / dpa