ROCHESTER, New York, 19 August 2003 — Shaun Micheel struck a brilliant seven-iron approach to two inches at the last to seal a shock win at the US PGA Championship on Sunday as Tiger Woods completed his worst major finish as a professional. World-ranked 169th, the 34-year-old American journeyman became the seventh player to clinch the tournament at the first attempt, firing a closing level-par 70 to secure his maiden PGA Tour title by two shots.
Micheel, who was holding a one-stroke lead when he hit his approach from the first cut of rough on 18, finished on four-under 276 at a sun-drenched Oak Hill Country Club. His tap-in for birdie earned him his first grand slam title in only his third start and, after raising his arms in celebration, he walked across the green to embrace his pregnant wife Stephanie.
Micheel’s compatriot and playing partner Chad Campbell finished alone in second place at two under after carding a 72. South African Tim Clark, who made a fast start with three birdies in the first four holes, stumbled with four bogeys after the turn and had to settle for third position at one under after a 69. Germany’s Alex Cejka was fourth at even par, also after a 69, while three-times major winner Ernie Els never gave himself enough birdie chances on the firming greens and carded a 71 for a share of fifth place with Jay Haas.
“I had a perfect yardage into 18 and the ball was sitting up,” Micheel told reporters of his second shot from 175 yards at the last. “When I hit the ball up there, and walked up and actually saw how close it was, a whole range of emotions came through.”
“It was a great feeling and I’m just thrilled to be champion here in New York,” added the American after the 85th US PGA Championship fell to a first-time winner for the 13th time in the last 16 years.
Micheel’s victory completed a clean sweep of first-time winners at this year’s majors, following the breakthrough victories achieved by Mike Weir (US Masters), Jim Furyk (US Open) and Ben Curtis (British Open).
The four majors had not previously been won by first-timers in a single season since 1969, when George Archer took the Masters, Orville Moody the US Open, Briton Tony Jacklin the British Open and Raymond Floyd the US PGA Championship. Micheel follows Jim Barnes (in 1916), Tom Creavy (1931), Bob Hamilton (1944), Doug Ford (1955), Bob Tway (1986) and John Daly (1991) as US PGA champions on debut.
Woods completed his final round half an hour before the leaders teed off, carding a three-over-par 73. The 27-year-old American lost any chance of mounting a last-day charge with two bogeys in his first three holes, and dropped three more shots between the 10th and 15th. He finished at 12-over 292, tying for 39th place in a field of 69.
Pak Holds Off Han at Jamie Farr Kroger Classic
In Sylvania, Ohio, Se Ri Pak took advantage of Hee-Won Han’s collapse and overcame a shaky finish of her own Sunday to win an all-Korean duel at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic. Pak gave up a two-stroke lead with a double-bogey at the 16th hole, but she followed with a birdie and sealed her third title of the season when Han bogeyed the 18th.
