San Diego | A golf ball hit by one of the leaders lodged in the limb of a tree. A shot by another contender settled next to an open case of beer. No one seemed able to keep his footing on the 13th tee, where the surface was as unpredictable as a carnival ride. The reigning champion missed a hole-in-one by an inch.

The final round of the 121st US Open on Sunday (Monday AEST) did not lack for tension and theatrics. But Jon Rahm, who two weeks ago was forced to withdraw from a tournament in tears because he had tested positive for the coronavirus, found the resolve to birdie the final two holes at Torrey Pines Golf Course, San Diego, to win America’s national golf championship by one stroke.